A Measure of English Acculturation Stress and Its Relationships with Psychological and Physical Health Status in a Sample of Elderly Russian Immigrants

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the factor structure and criterion validity of the English Language Acculturation Stress (ELAS) scale in a community-based sample of elderly Russian immigrants. The sample consists of 300 Russian immigrants with an equal number of females and males, from 59 to 93 years of age (Mean = 73.26, SD = 7.271). The majority of the respondents were married (72%) at the time the interviews were conducted. On average, the respondents have lived in the U.S. for about 7 years (SD = 3.00). We performed both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to ascertain the factor structure or conceptual dimensions of the 11-item ELAS scale. The findings revealed that this 11-item scale encompasses three dimensions: Basic English skills, survival English skills, and social involvement English skills. Correlation analyses of the scale with depression, physical health status, and length of residence suggest that the ELAS has good criterion validity and potential as a screening instrument of language acculturation stress for elderly Russian immigrants. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Barriers and facilitators of health among older adult immigrants in the United States: an integrative review of 20 years of literature

“…Isolation, meaning to be separate from others [ 67 ], was linked to English language proficiency. Tran et al [ 68 ], found that isolation combined with a lack of English language skills resulted in older adult immigrants from the FSU being unable to complete tasks or participate in “social activities” [ 68 ]. Furthermore, Serafica [ 69 ], identified isolation as contributing to emotional distress among older adult Filipino immigrants.…”

The role of internet-based social support network in immigrant settlement

“…People who have less social support experience more acculturative stress than those who have more (Thomas & Choi, 2006). Social support can reduce the level of acculturative stress (Keel & Drew, 2004;Oh & Sales, 2002;Smart & Smart, 1995;Tartakovsky, 2007;Thomas & Choi, 2006;Tran & Huynh-Hohnbaum, 2008;Ye, 2006). Social support, especially emotional support, reduces acculturative stress in two aspects.…”

Individual, family, social, and cultural predictors of depressed mood in former soviet immigrant couples

“…It may occur very slowly, particularly for those who immigrate during midlife or older age (Stevens, 1999). Lower acculturation is associated with depressed mood in FSU immigrants (Miller et al, 2006), but findings vary across other ethnic groups (Koneru et al, 2007; Tran et al, 2008). Immigration challenges may occur in all life domains, including difficulty finding work and managing routine activities such as transportation or shopping (Vinokurov, Birman, & Trickett, 2000).…”

“…The acculturative process can complicate developmental, family, and social dynamics, with significant repercussions and implications. One frequently monitored indicator of problematic adaptation in the post‐immigration period is depressed mood, potentially a precursor to clinical or major depression (Koneru, Weisman de Mamani, Flynn, & Betancourt, 2007; Tran, Sung, & Huynh‐Hohnbaum, 2008). Depression can have serious and debilitating consequences that include functional impairment and disability (Chapman & Perry, 2008).…”