Purpose: To verify and explicate the impact of marianismo beliefs on the physical activity behaviors of immigrant Latinas. Design/Method: Twenty-eight immigrant Latinas, aged 18 to 40 years, were recruited to participate in two focus group interviews. Data collection and analysis were driven by Spradley's Developmental Research Sequence. Results: Two domain terms were identified: “Life is too fast here” and “The woman is the center of the family.” Six included terms and five cultural themes were specified. Discussion/Conclusions: A combination of marianismo beliefs, acculturation stress, loss of social support, and conflicts between collectivist and individualist values combine to adversely influence physical activity behaviors of immigrant Latinas. Implications for Practice: Physical activity interventions for Hispanic women should capitalize on the strengths of the marianista, address factors leading to acculturation stress among women and their families, and establish bridges of social support among new groups of immigrants. © 2012, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

Transcultural health focus group analysis Spradley's DRS Latinas Ethnography Marianismo

information processing cultural anthropology psychological aspect methodology Transcultural Nursing human statistics Health Surveys Hispanic Americans United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female cultural factor Psychometrics psychometry Article adult migration Motor Activity transcultural care Anthropology, Cultural Focus Groups recording Tape Recording Culture health survey