The psychological toll of Cultural Frame Switching in a British Ethnic Minority Sample

Abstract

Background: Cultural frame switching (CFS) has cognitive and affective consequences. We posit a dynamic model of CFS, and hypothesised that CFS and biculturalism is context dependent. Method: Fifty-six British ethnic minority participants completed ecological momentary assessments five times a day for twenty-eight days, recording context, facets of CFS and psychological toll (emotional states & beliefs). Results: Contemporaneously, the degree of CFS was associated with mood but also feeling discriminated against and not being able to balance cultures. Anticipating CFS was associated with feeling socially anxious, discriminated against, not being able to balance cultures, whilst negative feelings about CFS was associated with not being able to balance cultures and lowered self-esteem. Temporally, the degree of CFS did not predict any psychological toll. Anticipating CFS predicted feeling discriminated against, and negative feelings about CFS predicted not being able to balance cultures, negative mood, lowered self-esteem and lowered self-efficacy. CFS and biculturalism significantly varied by context. Conclusions: The study highlights positive and negative consequence of engaging in CFS. This experience differs at individual level and is influenced by context. The experience of CFS needs to factor in frequency, valence and anticipation. Implications for wellbeing and support for British minorities are emphasised, with suggestions for interventions to enhance cultural competence.