Thesis (M.A.)--Kutztown University. / Typescript. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2914. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-134).

The preponderance of evidence from large-scale studies shows a detrimental association between greater acculturation (to mainstream U.S. values and beliefs) and mental health. Prior research also suggests that greater acculturation may be associated with a breakdown of adaptive behaviors and values (e.g., religiosity/spirituality) thereby negatively impacting mental health. In addition, literature generally suggests that enculturation (retention of culture of origin customs and values) is associated with better mental health. However, few studies have examined potential mediators between acculturation/enculturation and mental health; and research on this topic with patients with schizophrenia is particularly scarce. Using a sample of 44 Hispanic and African-American patients with schizophrenia, this study evaluated whether higher acculturation and lower enculturation would be associated with more symptoms of schizophrenia. Religiosity/spirituality, family cohesion, and religious coping were evaluated as potential mediators of these relationships. As hypothesized, greater family cohesion (measured by the Family Environment Scale) was associated with fewer schizophrenia symptoms (measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale). However a meditational model was not supported. Contrary to hypotheses, when examining the total sample, neither acculturation nor enculturation (measured by the Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale) were associated with schizophrenia symptoms. Ethnic subgroup analyses were conducted and will be discussed along with study implications, limitations, and directions for future research.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-187).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 72-84).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-134).

Color-blindness and color-consciousness are two ideologies aiming at prejudice and negative intergroup behavior reduction. Whereas color-blindness emphasizes the importance of breaking down group differences and considering everybody as an individal similar and equal to each other, color-consciousness emphasizes the recognition and appreciation of group differences. This dissertation is about the positive and negative aspects of both ideologies, as well as about their differential effects on emotions, behavior, and prejudice. Furthermore, a longitudinal study between 4 different countries analyzes the differences between minority groups and majority groups in matters of ideology preferences and of their links to prejudice. Finally, some variables are tested as useful predictors of the color-blind and color-conscious ideologies.

This thesis was an exploration of the relationship between the host cultural knowledge of newcomers and their behavioural and psychological adaptation to the host culture. Utilizing a theoretical and applied approach to this research, 160 international and landed immigrant students at the University of Saskatchewan completed a questionnaire examining their perceptions of Canadian values and social axioms. Values and social axioms are guiding principles and mediating beliefs, respectively, that individuals use to organize, understand and facilitate physical and social functionality within a culture (Schwartz, 1994; Leung et al., 2002). Despite the complexity of the research task, there was marginal support for the main hypothesis that the participants understanding of Canadian cultural knowledge was related to adaptation to a host culture, specifically psychological adaptation. Furthermore, the results indicate that the participants knowledge of Canadian values and social axioms was differentially related to psychological and behavioural adaption to Canada.

HEALTH RISKS, NUTRITION ASSESSMENT AND DISEASE PREVALENCE AMONG AFRICAN IMMIGRANT GROUPS IN ATLANTA GEORGIA Background: Though past studies have suggested immigrants are generally healthier than the native population, the immigrant acquisition of chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, over time, is poorly understood among African immigrants. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the health status, health risks chronic disease prevalence, and acculturation among immigrants from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. Participants/setting: 130 adult African immigrants living in Atlanta and attending any of four church health fairs. Participants completed anthropometric, health status assessments and a Home Environment Family connections Survey. Main outcome measures: BMI, waist circumference, blood glucose, blood pressure, fruit consumption frequency, availability of sugared sweetened drinks and physical activity were assessed and compared among African immigrant groups. Statistical analysis: Prevalence was calculated. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare anthropometrics while demographic and categorical survey data was compared using chi-squared tests. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean BMIs of African Immigrants (Nigeria and Ghana) (p=0.013) but not in the waist circumferences (p>0.05). High blood pressure prevalence in Ghanaian, Nigerian and Kenyan immigrants was 42.6 %, 36.8 %, and 25.8 % respectively. The prevalence of diabetes in Ghanaian, Nigeria and Kenyan immigrants was 18.8 %, 11.8 %, and 4.9 % respectively. Obesity prevalence in Nigerian, Kenyan and Ghanaian immigrants was 52.6 %, 45.8 %, and 31.1 % respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between the Years of Stay status and disease prevalence (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant associations between the BMI status and the availability of sugared sweetened drinks in the household, fruit consumption frequency, or the physical activity of African immigrants. Conclusion: African immigrants appear to have a slightly lower prevalence of diabetes, but a higher prevalence of hypertension and obesity than the United States population. Acculturation did not play a strong role in determining the health trajectories of African immigrants. Grouping immigrants by their country of origin does provide another important dimension in understanding the variation in immigrant health as each group had significant differences in the prevalence of diseases.

A greater understanding of how level of acculturation influences parent-teen sex communication is needed to implement effective teen pregnancy prevention and safer sex education. My research sought to examine how levels of acculturation into mainstream U.S. culture influence parent-teen sex communication among Latinos. I examined level of acculturation (via language preference and nativity) and gender of adolescents in relation to discussion of sex and specific sex topics with parents. More acculturated Latinos were more likely to discuss sex, STIs, saying no to sex, and condoms with their parents than those less acculturated Latinos. Greater acculturation was also associated with greater quantity of sex topics discussed with parents when compared to Latinos that preferred Spanish. Less acculturated Latinos in the sample were more likely to have never discussed sex with their parents compared to more acculturated Latinos. Latino participant’s gender was not a statistically significant predictor of parent-teen communication.

This thesis was an exploration of the relationship between the host cultural knowledge of newcomers and their behavioural and psychological adaptation to the host culture. Utilizing a theoretical and applied approach to this research, 160 international and landed immigrant students at the University of Saskatchewan completed a questionnaire examining their perceptions of Canadian values and social axioms. Values and social axioms are guiding principles and mediating beliefs, respectively, that individuals use to organize, understand and facilitate physical and social functionality within a culture (Schwartz, 1994; Leung et al., 2002). Despite the complexity of the research task, there was marginal support for the main hypothesis that the participants understanding of Canadian cultural knowledge was related to adaptation to a host culture, specifically psychological adaptation. Furthermore, the results indicate that the participants knowledge of Canadian values and social axioms was differentially related to psychological and behavioural adaption to Canada.