A test of the domain-specific acculturation strategy hypothesis.

Abstract

Acculturation literature has evolved over the past several decades and has highlighted the dynamic ways in which individuals negotiate experiences in multiple cultural contexts. The present study extends this literature by testing M. J. Miller and R. H. Lim's (2010) domain-specific acculturation strategy hypothesis-that individuals might use different acculturation strategies (i.e., assimilated, bicultural, separated, and marginalized strategies; J. W. Berry, 2003) across behavioral and values domains-in 3 independent cluster analyses with Asian American participants. Present findings supported the domain-specific acculturation strategy hypothesis as 67% to 72% of participants from 3 independent samples using different strategies across behavioral and values domains. Consistent with theory, a number of acculturation strategy cluster group differences emerged across generational status, acculturative stress, mental health symptoms, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Study limitations and future directions for research are discussed.

Advancing Understanding of Acculturation for Adolescents of Asian Immigrants: Person-Oriented Analysis of Acculturation Strategy Among Korean American Youth

“…Racial-ethnic identity may also indicate a much more conscious and deliberate endorsement of race-ethnicity for Asian American youth than other dimensions, such cultural behaviors, consumption of ethnic media, or the racial-ethnic composition of peers (Tsai et al, 2002). Lastly, we include cultural behaviors but not cultural values variables as indicators because cultural behaviors and values are not necessarily in accord, especially when values are changing at a much slower rate, sometimes lasting even generations later (Miller et al, 2013). …”

“…Scholars such as John Berry (1997) have identified different acculturation strategies, including assimilation, integration, separation , and marginalization (e.g., Birman, 1994; LaFromboise, Coleman, & Gerton, 1993). With only a few exceptions (e.g., Miller et al, 2013), however, scholarship excludes Asian Americans. Yet since the Hart-Celler Act of 1965, Asian Americans have been the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, surpassing Hispanics in the total number of immigrants in 2014 (Pew Research Center, 2015).…”

“…Assimilation is considered less adaptive, particularly for racial-ethnic immigrants and minorities, because minority children who primarily acculturate to the host culture may suffer from negative experiences of racial-ethnic discrimination and structural inequality because they are likely less prepared to defend themselves and may feel betrayed by the group they felt they belonged to (Chae, Lee, Lincoln, & Ihara, 2012; Park, Schwartz, Lee, Kim, & Rodriguez, 2013). That said, assimilation strategy is beneficial in some aspects, such as help-seeking behaviors (Miller et al, 2013). Separation, on the other hand, may impede successful integration into the host society and perpetuate social and cultural isolation, thus increasing adaptive stress (Berry, Kim, Minde, & Mok, 1987).…”

“…For example, Miller and his team (2013) used three independent samples of aggregated Asian college students and identified all four types of Berry’s strategies. But because they used the mean of the indicators, the four-group model was somewhat imposed on the data.…”

Explicating Acculturation Strategies among Asian American Youth: Subtypes and Correlates across Filipino and Korean Americans

“…For example, assimilation has been associated with feelings of betrayal and distress as Asian American young adults experience racial/ethnic discrimination and structural inequality despite their assimilation into the host culture (Park, Schwartz, Lee, Kim, & Rodriguez, 2013). At the same time, assimilation has been found to be beneficial in certain domains, such as help-seeking behaviors (Miller et al, 2013). Similarly, separation strategy is largely found to be less adaptive than integration (Berry, 2005), as it isolates individuals from the majority culture.…”