Objective: Acculturation and adaptation occur over many years, but few studies have systematically examined longitudinal changes. Although some theories suggest definable transitional phases, most studies address group differences, rather than individual change over time. The purpose of this presentation is to examine change in, and relationships among, acculturation, immigration demands and depressed mood in women who are recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU). Data are from a four-year, federally funded study designed to examine the influence of acculturation, family adaptation, and modifiable health behaviors on post-immigration health status and psychological well-being.
Design: The study has a mixed longitudinal design. Women are interviewed at baseline and at one-year intervals, for a total of 4 rounds of data collection.
Sample: These analyses examine baseline and 2nd round data for 109 women who were recruited through Russian newspaper and radio advertisements, flyers and network sampling. Inclusion criteria included age 40-70, married with at least one child in the U.S., and immigration within the past 8 years. Data were collected in 2000-2001.
Variables: Acculturation status and immigration demands are measured by modified Hazuda’s Acculturation and Structural Assimilation Scale, and Aroian’s Demands of Immigration Scale (DI), respectively. Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression (CES-D) Scale is used to assess depressed mood.
Methods: Questionnaires were translated using the committee method for acculturation and depression scales, and backtranslation for the DI. Instrument internal consistency was high. Interviews took place in participants’ homes or community locations. Questionnaires were self-administered, supervised by bilingual research assistants.
Findings: At baseline, mean age was 57.07 years (SD=7.47). Mean length of residence was 2.96 years (SD=1.76). Levels of English language acquisition tended to be low, with approximately 60% reporting they spoke English very little or not at all. Mean DI score was 64.94 (SD=18.08), and mean CES-D was 23.45 (SD=9.54). Close to 81% obtained a score greater than 16, the recommended cutoff for possible clinical depression. Women who reported they spoke English somewhat or very well were significantly younger and had been in the U.S. significantly longer than those who spoke English very little or not at all. Also, women who reported speaking English very well were significantly more likely to have lower CES-D scores. Length of residence was negatively related to total DI and CES-D.
Neither speaking ability nor CES-D scores changed significantly between rounds 1 and 2. Total DI scores, however, were significantly lower at round 2. Of the six DI subscales, novelty, occupational adjustment, loss, and feeling at home scores improved. Language accommodation and discrimination did not change significantly. ANOVAs by length of residence (<2; 2-4; >4 years) indicate that total DI at round 2 for women living in the U.S. <2 years was significantly higher than those here >4 years. Post hoc tests showed language accommodation and loss differed significantly between those living here <2 versus >4 years. Novelty and not feeling at home scores were significantly higher for those in the U.S. <2 versus those in the U.S. 2-4 years. These findings suggest that there may be different patterns in the way these variables change over time.
Some women’s DI scores increased at round 2. Intraindividual change in DI was significantly correlated with round 2 CES-D scores; that is, the higher the CES-D score, the more the DI score increased over time. Regression analysis indicated that when CES-D scores at rounds 1 and 2 were regressed on DI change scores, CES-D at round 2 independently predicted the change score, accounting for 5% of the variance. When length of residence was added, it did not make a significant contribution, and the model explained less of the variance.
Conclusions: CES-D scores were quite high compared to U.S. norms. Individual scores for perceived English speaking ability and depressed mood remained relatively consistent over time. Overall, immigration demand scores decreased over time, but results suggest that some DI subscale demands may tend to decrease earlier in the post-immigration period than other demands. Findings also suggest that depressed mood influences perception of immigration challenges, regardless of length of residence.
Implications: Immigration is a non-normative developmental transition, but there are few guidelines to assist midlife and older adults. This study suggests complex relationships among psychological well-being, acculturation, and other demands of immigration. In addition, the results of this analysis suggest that adaptation is not unidimensional or linear. Future research to identify longitudinal patterns of change for specific adjustment processes will facilitate strategic nursing interventions that are age, gender and culture specific.
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