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

Abstract

The current study was conducted to ascertain the validity of two commonly used markers of acculturation (nativity and years in the receiving culture) in an enclave context. Relationships between these markers and a bidimensional measure of acculturation were examined in a convenience sample of Hispanic immigrant adolescents and their caregivers in Miami. Nativity was examined using adolescent-reported data; approximately half of the youth were U.S.-born and half foreignborn, but all of the caregivers were foreign-born. Years in the receiving culture was examined using both adolescent and caregiver data. Results indicated that nativity was significantly associated with adoption of receiving-culture practices, with a small to moderate effect size. Years in the receiving culture was significantly associated with adoption of receiving-culture practices only for adolescent girls and for female caregivers who immigrated as youth. Neither nativity nor years in the receiving culture explained even moderate amounts of variance in retention or loss of culture-of-origin practices. Summer Sullivan is a research associate at the Center for Family Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine. She received her master's degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Miami and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling psychology at the same university. Her major research interests are the prevention and treatment of adolescent problem behaviors, including drug use and risky sexual behavior, and family psychology.

Sibling Behaviors and Mexican-Origin Adolescents’ After-School Activities

“…The majority of the sample was second generation adolescents (Table 1). Although acculturation measures (i.e., ARSMA) and generation status are distinct, they are still highly correlated (Phinney, 2006;Schwartz et. al., 2006) As hypothesized, there were differences in sibling behaviors between neighborhoods.…”

Examining Acculturation Model in an EFL Context: Learners’ Attitudes towards Target Language Accent vs. L1 Accent

“…However, such practices in most cases do Volume 15(1), February 2015(http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/GEMA-2015-1501 ISSN: occur in instructed target language environment. Many migrant individuals may experience the most difficulty (or unwillingness) in adopting the practices, values, and identifications of the receiving society (Schwartz et al, 2006), but this may be true in the context where the target language is taught or used as a second or a foreign language.…”

Ethnic and American Identity Development: A Developmental Systems Approach

“…Consistent with Study 2's original hypothesis, general growth curve models revealed no significant change in caregivers' American identity affirmation even after account for their ethnic identity affirmation. As previously stated, given the current study was conducted in two large ethnic enclaves, it is likely caregivers can avoid ever having to learn how to speak English or having to adapt to the U.S. Culture (Schwartz, Pantin, Sullivan, Prado, & Szapocznik, 2006). Moreover, while differences across site and nationality were not detected, it is important to note that reasons behind lack of change in caregivers' American identity affirmation may vary across context and group.…”

“…Given the high levels of Hispanicism among recent immigrants, and given that ethnic identity serves a protective function in offsetting the negative effects of discrimination (Gee et al, 2007;Mossakowski, 2003), Study 2 predicted an average positive change in caregivers' ethnic affirmation. Regarding caregivers' American affirmation, for individuals who migrate as adults it may be especially difficult to identify with the receiving society (Portes & Rumbaut, 2006;Schwartz, Pantin, Sullivan, Prado, & Szapocznik, 2006;Schwartz, Unger, Zamboanga, & Szapocznik, 2010). Moreover, it is important to note the current study was conducted in two large ethnic enclaves (i.e.,…”