English Language Proficiency Among Older Hispanics in the United States

Abstract

Hispanics will constitute a growing part of the older population well into the 21st century. Accompanying this growth, we can expect that challenges associated with a large bilingual and non-English speaking older population may become more pronounced.

Acculturation and Sociocultural Influences on Dietary Intake and Health Status among Puerto Rican Adults in Massachusetts

“…As the majority of our study sample resided in high Hispanic-density neighborhoods, language acculturation may not have been essential to manage day-today activities. Generally low levels of education and limited economic resources may have further hindered motivation and accessibility to learning English, as previously reported for older US Hispanics (12). US Census Bureau data confirm that Puerto Rican and Mexican immigrants have lower rates of language shift to English than other Hispanic immigrant groups (58).…”

“…Thus, of the commonly-used proxy measures of acculturation, language use may be the most sensitive measure (55) because it is associated with many other factors – it affects the way an individual interacts with society (12), one’s understanding of different cultures, one’s self-management of health conditions by more easily understanding and incorporating health care providers’ recommendations (59), and knowledge and understanding of available healthful foods and dietary trends. Indeed, national survey findings indicate that limited English-proficient Hispanics were less likely than those with more proficiency to report receiving advice on physical activity and/or diet (59).…”

“…Because low SES has been associated with low social participation and sense of control (67), this may inhibit English language use (12). Recently, acculturation was associated with greater prevalence of psychological and behavioral problems (68) and increased stress (69) in Mexican Americans, without controlling for SES.…”

“…However, epidemiologic associations vary by Hispanic subgroup; whereas Mexican Americans have shown health “advantages,” which deteriorate with acculturation, Puerto Ricans have generally shown health disparities, with improved health with acculturation (11). It is critical to consider the role of SES in these findings, given that low language-acculturation among Spanish-speakers has been linked to economic disadvantage relative to English-speaking Hispanics (12), and direct associations have been seen between social status and physical and mental health (13). …”

Nativity and Years in the Receiving Culture as Markers of Acculturation in Ethnic Enclaves

“…Although no published research has examined this issue directly, indirect evidence may be available to support such a conclusion. For example, Mutchler and Brallier (1999) found that older Hispanics in the United States, particularly those living in Hispanic enclaves, tend to have poor English proficiency despite residing in the United States for many years. As a result, for individuals who immigrate as adults to enclave contexts, increasing length of residence in the receiving culture may not correspond to increasing endorsement of receiving-culture practices.…”