Journal of Counseling Psychology
Volume 58, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 27-41

Dimensions of Acculturation: Associations With Health Risk Behaviors Among College Students From Immigrant Families (Article)

Schwartz S.J.* , Weisskirch R.S. , Zamboanga B.L. , Castillo L.G. , Ham L.S. , Huynh Q.-L. , Park I.J.K. , Donovan R. , Kim S.Y. , Vernon M. , Davis M.J. , Cano M.A.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, United States
  • b Department of Human Development, California State University-Monterey Bay, United States
  • c Department of Psychology, Smith College, United States
  • d Department of Counseling Psychology, Texas A and M University, United States
  • e Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas, United States
  • f Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, United States
  • g Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, United States
  • h Department of Psychology, Kennesaw State University, United States
  • i Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, United States
  • j Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, United States
  • k Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, United States
  • l Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, United States

Abstract

In the present study, we examined a bidimensional model of acculturation (which includes both heritage and U.S. practices, values, and identifications) in relation to hazardous alcohol use, illicit drug use, unsafe sexual behavior, and impaired driving. A sample of 3,251 first- and second-generation immigrant students from 30 U.S. colleges and universities completed measures of behavioral acculturation; cultural values (individualism, collectivism, and self-construal); ethnic and U.S. identity; and patterns of alcohol and drug use, engagement in potentially unsafe sexual activities, and driving while (or riding with a driver who was) intoxicated. Results indicate that heritage practices and collectivist values were generally protective against health risk behaviors, with collectivist values most strongly and consistently protective. Nonetheless, heritage identifications were positively associated with sexual risk taking for Hispanics. U.S. practices, values, and identifications were not consistently related to risk behavior participation. Results are discussed in terms of bidimensional approaches to acculturation, the immigrant paradox, and implications for counseling practice. © 2010 American Psychological Association.

Author Keywords

immigrants Sexual risk taking Drug use Acculturation Ethnic identity

Index Keywords

Social Values Models, Psychological social psychology psychological model Automobile Driving Alcohol Drinking drinking behavior psychological aspect Caucasian Social Identification human Ethnic Groups ethnic group Substance-Related Disorders ethnology Unsafe Sex United States Young Adult student Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female cultural factor Article high risk behavior Risk-Taking adult migration European Continental Ancestry Group addiction Students Alcoholic Intoxication alcohol intoxication car driving attitude to health social behavior
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79251585279&doi=10.1037%2fa0021356&partnerID=40&md5=04ed2dc501f9dcc39d58c68d8c3b2d65
DOI: 10.1037/a0021356
ISSN: 00220167
Cited by: 94
Original Language: English