Acculturation processes and mental health of Asian Indian women in the United States

A mixed-methods study

Bibliographic Data

ID9055124
AuthorsAnitha Joseph (0000-0002-3545-2539, University of North Texas), Sharon Rae Jenkins (0000-0003-3753-3161, University of North Texas), Brittney Wright (University of North Texas), Bini B Sebastian (0000-0002-5069-0041, University of North Texas), Bini Sebastian
Year2020
Volume90
Issue4
Pages510-522
Publication date2020-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9432 • E-ISSN: 1939-0025
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/ort0000465
PMID32614212
OpenAlexW3040183702
LanguageEN
Citations received8

Acculturation theories and research find that both new culture acquisition and heritage culture attachment are associated with positive outcomes. However, gender-related analyses are rare. In this mixed-method study of 73 Asian Indian American women who were first- or second-generation immigrants from Kerala, India, those classified as behaviorally bicultural, assimilated, separated, or marginalized did not differ significantly in well-being. Being older and married was related to higher self-esteem; unmarried women reported more Kerala attitudinal marginalization. With age, marital status, immigrant generation, and both cultural behavioral orientations controlled, Kerala attitudinal marginalization (but not Anglo attitudinal marginalization) correlated moderately with both lower self-esteem and more severe depressive symptoms. Content analysis of open-ended question data suggested associations among more intricate and multifaceted acculturation processes and psychological well-being via the rewards and challenges the women described. Attaining the "best of both worlds" that some mentioned meant selective adoption and rejection of facets of each culture: family connectedness and control, freedom and moral decline, opportunity, and discrimination. For these women, status-related characteristics (being younger and single representing lower status), discrimination experiences, and attitudinal rejection of their heritage culture (although it accords women lower status than men) had negative psychological outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

Acculturation · Ethnic group · Mental health · Psychiatry · Sociology · Anthropology · Health disparities and outcomes · Psychology

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