Content area
Abstract
Past acculturation studies have used a bipolar model of acculturation. This study used a modified questionnaire consistent with a multidimensional model to examine behavioral acculturation, psychological acculturation and psychological well-being across generations of Vietnamese immigrants and refugees living in the U.S. Sociodemographic and migrant variables were used to investigate their relationships to behavioral and psychological acculturation toward the U.S. and Vietnamese dimensions and psychological well-being across generations of Vietnamese.
Using a quasi-experimental design, data were collected from 590 Vietnamese immigrants and refugees living in the U.S. Multiple regression analyses were calculated to determine the amount of variance accounted for in behavioral and psychological acculturation toward the U.S. dimension and psychological well-being. Results suggested that sociodemographic variables of Income, Religion, Current Age, Education in the U.S., Education in Vietnam, and Gender, as well as migrant variables of Generational Status, Age of Arrival, and Reason for Migration were significant predictors of behavioral acculturation of the U.S. Dimension. Psychological acculturation of the U.S. dimension was also shown to be predictable by sociodemographic variables, such as Income, Education in Vietnam, and Occupation, and migrant variables that included Proportion of Life in the U.S. and Reason for Migration.
Other results supported past research that first generation immigrants and refugees tended to practice more customs of the Vietnamese observable behaviors and are more likely to have similar values and preferences for the Vietnamese culture compared to individuals who were born in the U.S. or who entered at the U.S. before the age of 8. However, contrary to past research, the results showed no direct relationship between emotional distress and acculturation toward the Vietnamese culture.
Consistent with a bipolar model, a negative relationship was detected between behavioral acculturation of the U.S. and Vietnamese dimensions. An unexpected outcome was observed in psychological acculturation, where a significant positive relationship occurred between the U.S. and Vietnamese dimensions. This phenomenon would not have been detected if it was assessed using a bipolar model assessment.
