The relationship between acculturation and health behavior change is complex. Little research has focused on acculturation and perceptions of health-related risks. This study investigated acculturation and risk perceptions of heart attack and lung cancer among a group of refugees. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of Bosnian refugees living in the United States (N = 55). Results indicated that smokers thought they were less at risk than other smokers and no more at risk than non-smokers, whereas non-smokers did not think they were less at risk than other non-smokers. Greater acculturation was associated with greater perception of smokers' risk of heart attack and lung cancer. Smoking cessation interventions with refugees should incorporate culturally appropriate risk information. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007.

Risk perception smoking Refugees Acculturation

refugee Myocardial Infarction heart infarction lung cancer human risk assessment Refugees Health Behavior middle aged priority journal Bosnia and Herzegovina Aged United States Bosnia-Herzegovina smoking cessation Humans smoking Adolescent male Acculturation female questionnaire self concept cultural factor Lung Neoplasms Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article Risk-Taking major clinical study adult Social Perception disease association health hazard attitude to health behavior change