The literature on identity and acculturation has discussed many aspects of the ethnic minorities‟ experience that have important implications for the mental health status of these individuals. The goal of the present study was to integrate these findings to create an encompassing picture of how these processes may interact with one another in first-generation Asian immigrants and Asian international students in Canada. Results indicated that one‟s identification to the mainstream and heritage cultures were dependent on one‟s stage in ethnic identity development. Second, it was found that ethnic identity exploration and ethnic identity achievement were differentially associated with reported levels of race-related stress. Third, bicultural conflict and vertical collectivism were negatively associated with psychological outcomes, whereas ethnic identity achievement was positively associated with well-being. Finally, strategies of self-continuity were not associated with the individualism-collectivism measures assessed in the study / Graduate

International migration is growing continuously. The cultural contact this entails has profound effects on groups and people, known as acculturation. For individuals migrating, these encounters lead to challenges connected to identity and sense of belonging. Scholars call for qualitative studies with an individual perspective and a process focus to collect unique experiences of acculturation, addressing constructions and identity. The aim of this thesis is to explore the developing constructions of identity and belonging in one acculturation process. Using a Grounded Theory approach and a constructivist/symbolic interactionism framework, this case study will exemplify these constructions as fundamental elements of acculturation as a process, through an analysis of one personal weblog. It was found that identity and belonging are interrelated and deeply entwined in relation to the acculturation process. Constructions of these phenomena are continuously contested, negotiated and reconstructed in diverse contexts and multiple social encounters.

The last ten years has witnessed the inflow of a large number of new immigrant and refugee children, many from Africa, into Canada. These new immigrants and displaced persons (refugees) undergo a cycle of adaptation in a new society; a process that takes much longer time than the host society allows them. Most children of refugees and new immigrants enter the school system few months after their arrival in Canada when they have barely had the time to adapt to their new socio-cultural environment. However, little research has been done on the cultural adaptation of African immigrant and refugee youth in the Canadian educational system. / This study examined the social integration and educational experiences of teenage immigrant and refugee youth mainly from minority backgrounds in their first few years of contacts with the Quebec educational system. Using a qualitative methodology, interviews were conducted with ten youth, eight parents, four community leaders, two social service reception center workers and a school administrator together with information from focus group discussions with a number of youth and parents from the same backgrounds. The cultural and acculturating patterns that emerged in the context of school, family, peers, and community as well as the way in which the respondents negotiate, create, and maintain their identities were examined. / The findings showed that culture and cultural adaptation play very significant roles in the social and educational integration of immigrant and refugee children in Canadian society. They further pointed to how acculturation difficulties have led to many of these children feeling less motivated to study, losing interest in education, or dropping out of the school system altogether. / Implications of this research for curriculum development in education and social work practice with this population group are offered. These include the need for social service professionals and educators working with refugee youth to have an understanding of the different needs and history or cultural context of the country of origin of the refugees. Others are the need for teachers to be culturally responsive and competent as they deal with increasingly diverse student populations. Also of equal importance for policy formulators in the educational field is the need for curriculum that is designed to address the distinctive challenges of acculturation that these new arrivals face especially at the High School levels in Quebec. / Recommendations are made for directions for future research in the social work and education fields including structuring a longitudinal study to follow these youth participants over a period of time to examine the evolution of their ethnic identity, bicultural development, cultural values, their educational attainment and the challenges they face as adults. Furthermore, a nationwide or an inter-provincial study with similar population groups (with language as a significant variable) would provide a broader understanding of the integration issues associated with this population group.

Objectives: To determine access to dental care among preschool children of Arabic-speaking immigrant families; to investigate the influence of social and cultural factors on access to dental care; and to measure preschool children’s oral health as reported by their parents. Methods: This survey used a semi-structured questionnaire to interview 100 Arabic-speaking parents of children under the age of 5 who were identified from community centres. Five scales were used to measure acculturation, social capital, oral health literacy, oral health knowledge, and health literacy. Results: Only 34% of families had visited the dentist to obtain dental care for their preschool children. Nineteen-percent of Arabic parents in our sample rated their children’s oral health as being fair or poor. None of the scales used in this study had a significant impact on access to dental care; however, higher scores on these scales tended to be associated with better access to dental care.

Objectives: To determine access to dental care among preschool children of Arabic-speaking immigrant families; to investigate the influence of social and cultural factors on access to dental care; and to measure preschool children’s oral health as reported by their parents. Methods: This survey used a semi-structured questionnaire to interview 100 Arabic-speaking parents of children under the age of 5 who were identified from community centres. Five scales were used to measure acculturation, social capital, oral health literacy, oral health knowledge, and health literacy. Results: Only 34% of families had visited the dentist to obtain dental care for their preschool children. Nineteen-percent of Arabic parents in our sample rated their children’s oral health as being fair or poor. None of the scales used in this study had a significant impact on access to dental care; however, higher scores on these scales tended to be associated with better access to dental care.

Among several difficulties associated with immigration, acculturation process has been recognized as one of the main stressors and one of the major risk factors associated in the incidence of mental disorders. The strategies adopted by individuals to deal with the acculturation process appear to be predictive of different mental health outcomes. This exploratory study investigated the relationship between acculturation strategies and the occurrence of symptoms of depression in the context of the Brazilian immigrant community living in the Greater Toronto Area. The results demonstrated that Separation and Assimilation were the predominant strategies for this sample and that acculturation strategies failed to serve as significant predictors of depression scores. However, participants with Separation as their predominant acculturation strategy exhibited higher depressive symptom endorsement. The significance of these findings in the context of previous research as well as its implications for future research and critical multicultural practice in mental health are discussed.

I present a qualitative study investigating the self-perceived health of recently arrived Canadian immigrants. The study develops health promotion’s understanding of culture as a social determinant of health, and conceptually locates it within a broader context of psychosocial factors. The study involves semi-structured individual interviews focusing on self-perceived health and well-being. The sample group consists of recently arrived (within the last 10 years) adult immigrants between 23 and 46 years of age, from a variety of cultural backgrounds, who participate with the YMCA Cross Cultural & Community Services’ Host program in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. I also interview two YMCA settlement program supervisors who discuss health care issues facing Canadian newcomers. Newcomer self-expression contributes to a better understanding of the social and cultural determinants of the Healthy Immigrant Effect. This study represents a theoretically and empirically informed personal examination of Canadian multiculturalism from a public health research perspective.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of acculturation in the food consumption patterns of low income Hispanic women living in Texas and enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program by testing the following hypotheses: a) There are significant differences in consumption of fruit and vegetables by selected socio-demographic variables; and, b) less healthy food consumption patterns are associated with higher levels of acculturation in health-related research involving low-income Hispanic women living in Texas. A secondary-data analysis of the responses to the Texas Food & Nutrition (TEXFAN) questionnaire was performed. TEXFAN is a 122-item survey designed to measure WIC participants' consumption behaviors and to assess the impact of new food packages in Texas' WIC program. A total of 3,336 adult, non-pregnant women self-identified as having Hispanic ethnic background of all races were considered for this study. Analysis of Variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed significant differences in nutritional practices among Hispanic women for age, educational attainment, employment status, race, area of residence, and acculturation. Logistic Regression analysis confirmed the hypothesis that lower levels of acculturation are associated with healthier food consumption patterns. The majority of respondents (70.7%, N=2,358) did not consume the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day; therefore, do not have healthy patterns of food consumption. Consequently, the majority of respondents (70.0%, N= 1,709) has a weight statuses above normal and at a higher proportion than women in the State of Texas and the nation. Acculturation continues to interest social and behavioral researchers but variations on conceptualization, definition, operationalization, and measurement negatively impact generalizability and applicability of results. Interventions not considering acculturation are not likely to be successful. Research has to include community, ecological, cultural and contextual factors (e.g., machismo, accessibility to sidewalks, availability of fresh healthy foods, etc.). Development of effective intervention programs should be aimed to increase consumption of healthy food and an adherence to the recommendations of the "Healthy Plate" and the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010" among Hispanics. Also, interventions should generate necessary skills among Hispanics for empowering them to sustain proper nutritional behaviors and overcome barriers.

This study considered migrants’ career outcomes as the result of their adjustments in terms of culture and career adaptation along with other positive attributes they brought on their arrival as well as developing in their new country. It considered that career is the property of individuals and managing it successfully is the responsibility of individuals themselves. Prior research into migrants’ issues and careers was used as the basis of this study and a model for analysis was developed using such issues. The resultant model included the wider life of migrants. A questionnaire including reliable measures of key variables was developed based on the literature. Two hundred and twenty-one Sri Lankan migrants completed the pilot tested survey. The results were analysed using factor analysis, tests of association and multiple regression analysis at the first stage to formulate a less complex model. Structural equation modelling was then used to confirm the relationships assumed between different variables. Although some of the relationships and/or variables assumed initially were removed from the model, the final model explained strong links between the variables that remained. Qualification gained before migration and career self-efficacy were found to be the most significant variables in explaining job satisfaction before migration. Usefulness of prior knowledge, skills and habits, efforts made towards career, education in New Zealand, information seeking, length of time in New Zealand and overseas experience had the greatest influence on current job level. Current job level, length of time in New Zealand and overseas experience were found to be the most significant variables explaining subjective career success after migration. Adapting to New Zealand culture was found to be significant in explaining only the career satisfaction after migration. It was also found that migrants’ career outcomes (success and satisfaction) after migration were significant variables in explaining overall career satisfaction of this migrant group: however, with the exception of job satisfaction, career outcomes before migration did not play a significant role in determining overall career satisfaction. The implications of the present study were considered, from both migrants’ perspective and that of New Zealand as the host society. A number of possible practical strategies relevant to migrants, community organisations and policy makers and authorities were suggested. Several potential avenues for future researches were identified and discussed. Thus, it is expected that this study will contribute to better career outcomes of migrants in New Zealand.

AIMS AND HYPOTHESIS: In Australia, there has been little research into the quality of young immigrants' mental health in relation to their ethnic identity and acculturation. This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between strength of ethnic identity and the mental health of young Chinese immigrants in Australia; and if so, whether the relationship between mental health and ethnic identity is mediated by the degree of acculturation to mainstream Australian society. Four theoretical models were proposed, according to the study hypothesis that young Chinese immigrants with high ethnic identity achievement, retained more ethnic cultural behaviour and a high level of acculturation to mainstream Australian society would be associated with greater satisfaction with life and less psychopathology. Furthermore, the study explored the roles played by other factors, such as self-esteem, ego defence styles, parental bonding and family relationships, in the theoretical models. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Brisbane, Queensland. Participants were recruited through secondary schools, a religious organisation and a social organisation. A sample of 456 young immigrants (aged 15 - 21), both males and females, who identified themselves as Chinese and had been living in Australia for at least 18 months at the time the study commenced, participated voluntarily in the study. Participants completed several questionnaires assessing their ethnic identity achievement, ethnocultural identity behaviour, acculturation, self-esteem, defence style, satisfaction with life, social functioning performance, psychiatric symptomatology and family issues. There were English and Chinese language versions of the questionnaires for participants to choose from. Of 456 sets of questionnaires, 351 were returned and of these 313 contained valid data. Group interviews were conducted with 30 participants discussing matters such as their identification with their Chinese background, their personal feelings and experiences of living in Australia, and their attitudes toward Australian culture. An Acculturation Scale was specifically developed to measure the degree of young Chinese immigrants' acculturation in aspects of Social Role and Language and Allegiance. The higher scores correspond to a higher degree of acculturation. The reliability of this scale is satisfactory and its validity acceptable. The total scores for the Acculturation Scale were used in the main statistical analyses. The Ethnocultural Identity Behavior Index (EIBI) was amended before being used in the study. The revised EIBI measures young Chinese immigrants' ethnic identity behaviour in mainstream Australian society in terms of their Cultural Activities and Social Interaction. The higher scores correspond to the more retained ethnocultural identity behaviour. Once again, the reliability of this instrument is satisfactory and its validity acceptable. The total scores for the revised EIBI were used in the main statistical analyses. RESULTS: There is a correlation between ethnic identity and acculturation, but there seem to be two dimensions of ethnic identity. Young immigrants' acculturation is positively associated with their ethnic identity achievement but negatively associated with their ethnocultural identity behaviour. This study proposes a multidimensional model of ethnic identity, acculturation and psychological well-being. The new model indicates that young immigrants display more satisfaction with life, better social performance and less psychopathology if they have achieved a strong sense of ethnic identity and a high degree of acculturation and exhibit less retained ethnocultural identity behaviour. Although ethnic identity achievement, ethnocultural identity behaviour and acculturation are all predictive of young immigrants' psychological well-being, ethnocultural identity behaviour correlates with psychological well-being in the opposite direction from ethnic identity achievement and acculturation. There are also differences in immigrants' ethnic identity, acculturation and psychological well-being associated with gender, language spoken at home, place of origin and length of residence in Australia. Further investigations suggest that a harmonious family environment with caring, less controlling parents not only provides an environment that protects against psychopathology, but also encourages young immigrants to achieve a strong ethnic identity, to acculturate, to develop high self-esteem and to feel satisfied with life. It was found that young immigrants' defence style plays a role in their ethnic identity achievement and acculturation, and thus in turn affect their psychological well-being. However, the mechanism of these effects remains unclear. It is assumed to be related to the level of young immigrants' maturity. CONCLUSION: A multidimensional model of ethnic identity, acculturation and psychological well-being is proposed from this study. High ethnic identity achievement, a high level of acculturation and less ethnocultural identity behaviour are associated with more satisfaction with life, better social functioning performance and less psychiatric symptomatology. However, this correlation is very complex and affected by multiple factors. Some factors are known - self-esteem, defence style, parental bonding and family relationships; some are unknown, and may be related to immigrants' individual characteristics and to social and environment factors. There is a great need for future research into this field.