Is Living in an Ethnic Enclave Associated With Better Cognitive Health of Older Immigrants? Results From PINE

This study addressed three questions: 1) Is living in Chinatown associated with better cognition among Chinese older immigrants? 2) Is the association moderated by education, acculturation level, and social engagement? 3) Does the association vary by preferred language (Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese), an important indicator of heterogeneity among Chinese immigrants? Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (N = 3,055). Results showed that Chinese older immigrants who lived in Chinatown had significantly poorer cognition than those who didn’t, and such a difference was largely due to educational differences between the two groups. Higher education or acculturation buffered the influence of Chinatown residence on cognitive health, but only among those who speak Mandarin. The findings indicate that living in an ethnic enclave may have a negative impact on cognitive function of Chinese older immigrants. The findings also reveal the sources of heterogeneity within the population.

Acculturation Mitigates the Negative Impact of Perceived Stress on Depressive Symptoms Among U.S. Chinese Older Adults

The present study aimed to examine the role of acculturation in mitigating the negative impact of perceived stress on depressive symptoms among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data of 3,159 Chinese adults over 60 years old were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). In addition to socio-demographic variables, participants’ acculturation levels, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Perceived stress was positively related to depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults. However, no significant association was found between acculturation level and depressive symptoms. Regression analysis supported the moderation hypothesis of acculturation level on the relationship between perceived stress on depressive symptoms. The negative impact of perceived stress on depressive symptoms was mitigated for Chinese older adults who had higher levels of acculturation than for those who had lower levels of acculturation. The findings have implications in minority aging and mental health policies during the on-going pandemic era.

A Comparison of Weight-Related Behaviors of Hispanic Mothers and Children by Acculturation Level

Hispanic mothers and children in the United States experience a high prevalence of obesity, which may be affected by maternal acculturation level. Little is known about the association of acculturation on weight-related behaviors. This study describes differences in weight-related behaviors by acculturation level of Hispanic mothers residing in the U.S. and compares them to behaviors of White mothers. Acculturation level was determined using personal acculturation and acculturation environment variables. Cluster analysis of acculturation variables identified three groups of Hispanic mothers: low personal and environmental acculturation (n = 46), high personal and low environmental acculturation (n = 65), and high personal and environmental acculturation (n = 38). Results indicate that, compared to White mothers (n = 340), the least acculturated cluster of Hispanic mothers tended to model physical activity less often and the most acculturated exerted more pressure on children to eat. Mothers in the least acculturated cluster tended to rate children’s health status lower, indicate that children had greater fruit juice and less milk intakes, have more meals in locations associated with less healthy meals, and have the least space and supports for physical activity. Findings highlight relationships between maternal acculturation level and weight-related behaviors and suggest strategies for helping acculturating Hispanic mothers create healthier lifestyles and home environments.

Counseling Muslim Americans: Cultural and Spiritual Assessments

In this article, the authors identify the cultural and spiritual assessments needed to conduct counseling with Muslim Americans and Muslim immigrants to the United States. Assessment processes are outlined that include cultural identity (which subsumes several variables); worldview; spiritual assessment along with acculturation level and migration concerns; impact of languages spoken; social, occupational, and educational status of the client in host culture and in home culture (if the client is an immigrant); and family composition and social supports.

Bean Preferences Vary by Acculturation Level among Latinas and by Ethnicity with Non-Hispanic White Women

With high levels of protein, fiber, folate, iron and other micronutrients, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating beans for optimal nutrition. Low-income women are at greater risk of nutrition-related health disparities. Use of beans may change among Hispanic women (Latinas) during acculturation, but few studies exist that describe specific preferences of this important traditional food. Preserving or promoting beans in the diets of all low-income women could improve dietary quality. The study objectives were to describe consumption frequency, purchasing patterns, and attitudes toward dry and canned beans, by acculturation level among Latinas and by ethnicity with non-Hispanic White women. Survey data were collected from 356 women (µ 32 y ± 9 y; 81% Latina), who were enrolled in, or eligible for, a federal nutrition assistance, or unemployment, program in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Participants had positive attitudes toward beans overall. Less acculturated and bicultural Latinas bought dry beans more often than their peers. Price was considered important in canned bean selection for Non-Hispanic White women, and less acculturated Latinas had poorer attitudes toward canned. Awareness of these attitudes and preferred traits of low-income women suggests ways to message populations to maintain or increase bean consumption. Negative views of canned beans by Latinas should be investigated further. Inclusion of canned beans in nutrition assistance programs may benefit those unfamiliar with preparing dry beans.

Acculturation and Dietary Acculturation among Arab Muslim Immigrants in Canada

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to assess Arab Muslim immigrant mothers’ acculturation level, to explore apparent links between acculturation level and experiences of dietary changes, and to gather information on factors affecting dietary acculturation. Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews focusing on food choices were conducted with 24 mothers who had been in Canada 5 years or more. An adapted version of an existing acculturation scale was used to assess participants’ perception of their own acculturation. Results: Arab Muslim mothers retain traditional food preparation. However, several factors led to changes in their daily food consumption such as children’s preferences, time concerns, and availability of Arabic food. No significant relation was found between measured levels of acculturation and the adoption of Canadian food behaviour or the retention of preparation and consumption of traditional foods (dietary acculturation); however, a greater length of stay in Canada was somewhat associated with limitations on preparing traditional food. The findings indicated that many of the Arab Muslim mothers interviewed retain important aspects of their traditional cuisine. Conclusions: Dietary acculturation for Arab Muslim immigrants to Canada involved a balance between carrying forward food-related traditions and adapting to Canadian culture, including Canada’s food culture.

Prejudice towards Immigrants: Competences Elicit Stonger and more Favorable Sentiments

We examined prejudice and discrimination toward immigrants, specifically Mexican immigrants, as a function of their perceived competence and warmth, and the perceiver’s agreeableness, attitudes and acculturation level. We found that an immigrant’s competence evoked stronger feelings and responses than their warmth. Moreover, pre-existing attitudes strongly predicted prejudices toward immigrants. Of the Big Five variables, only Agreeableness predicted positive sentiments and actions toward immigrants. Finally, acculturation within Latinos correlated negatively with positive feelings and actions toward immigrants. More acculturated Latinos were less welcoming of immigrants. The results are partially explained by the Stereotypic Content Model.

Exercise trends among previously non-exercising breast cancer survivors: Analysis of an ethnically diverse sample.

e23048 Background: Exercise is associated with improved symptoms and breast cancer (BC) survival. Little is known about personal and social factors that determine exercise participation in diverse BCS. The study seeks to characterize exercise trends and distinguish factors associated with initiating exercise among pre-diagnosis employed, non-exercising, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse BCS. Methods: BCS were recruited from academic and community medical centers. Women with stage I-III BC were surveyed during and 4 months post-completion of active treatment (surgery +/- chemo +/- radiation). The primary outcome was exercise initiation 4 months post treatment. Variables were self-reported except for clinical cancer variables, which were abstracted from the medical record. Results: Our sample (n = 494) included 22% black, 20% Chinese, 8% Korean, 27% Latina, and 21% non-Latina white women (3% other). 56% were born outside of the US; 30% reported an income < 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). 72% of BCS exercised the year before diagnosis; 28% did not. Significant correlates (p < 0.05) of NOT exercising pre-diagnosis included lack of post-secondary education, Chinese or Korean ethnicity, lack of alcohol consumption, and lower acculturation level, resilience, and income. Among 138 non-exercisers, 63% reported exercising at follow-up. Significant correlates of exercise initiation are listed in table. In a multivariable model that included age, acculturation, job loss, insurance status, chemo-, and radiotherapy (RT), receipt of RT was significantly associated with exercise initiation (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-7.1). Conclusions: A BC diagnosis may be an impetus to initiate exercise among previously sedentary, employed women. Patients who undergo radiotherapy appear to be more likely to start exercising. Additional research is needed to understand why some patients initiate exercise while others do not. [Table: see text]

How Does Acculturation Influence Smoking Behavior Among Latinos? The Role of Education and National Background

Introduction: As Latinos acculturate, they are assumed to smoke at higher rates. This study investigated the relationship between acculturation level, educational attain­ment, and cigarette smoking by gender and national background among Latinos.Methods: Data from the 2009-2012 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed and participants included 1,111 Cubans, 813 Dominicans, 13,281 Mexi­cans, and 2,197 Puerto Ricans. Multivari­able logistic regression was used to model acculturation and educational predictors of current smoking, stratified by gender and national background. Acculturation level was categorized into less acculturated, bicultural, and more acculturated by com­bining birthplace and language preference. Current cigarette smoking was defined by self-reported use every day or some days among those who ever smoked at least 100 cigarettes.Results: Most respondents were inter­viewed in English (62%) and had a high school education or less (60%), but only 39% were US-born. Overall, 17.8% of men and 9.6% of women reported current smoking. By national background, smok­ing prevalence was highest among Puerto Ricans (16% of women and 23% of men) and lowest among Dominicans (6% of wom­en and 10% of men). More acculturated Mexican women and men had significantly higher odds of current smoking (OR=2.94; 95% CI=2.01, 4.31 and OR=1.88; 95% CI=1.39, 2.55; respectively). Mexican men who were more acculturated and had greater levels of educational attainment had lower odds of smoking (OR=.84; 95% CI=.74, .96).Conclusions: The relationship between acculturation and health behaviors among Latinos is influenced by education and should be considered by public health and clinician stakeholders when developing or adapting tobacco control strategies. Ethn Dis. 2019;29(2):227-238. doi:10.18865/ ed.29.2.227