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Rethinking the concept of acculturation: Implications for theory and research.

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Schwartz, Seth J., Unger, Jennifer B., Zamboanga, Byron L., Szapocznik, José·2010·American Psychologist
DOI 10.1037/a0019330PMC PMC3700543
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Abstract

This article presents an expanded model of acculturation among international migrants and their immediate descendants. Acculturation is proposed as a multidimensional process consisting of the confluence among heritage-cultural and receiving-cultural practices, values, and identifications. The implications of this reconceptualization for the acculturation construct, as well as for its relationship to psychosocial and health outcomes, are discussed. In particular, an expanded operationalization of acculturation is needed to address the "immigrant paradox," whereby international migrants with more exposure to the receiving cultural context report poorer mental and physical health outcomes. We discuss the role of ethnicity, cultural similarity, and discrimination in the acculturation process, offer an operational definition for context of reception, and call for studies on the role that context of reception plays in the acculturation process. The new perspective on acculturation presented in this article is intended to yield a fuller understanding of complex acculturation processes and their relationships to contextual and individual functioning.

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  • Cultural identity can be a risk factor for anxiety, depression, and stress when the subject migrates to a culturally diverse new environment.

    “Pesquisas mostram que a identidade cultural pode ser um fator de risco para ansiedade, depressão e estresse quando o sujeito migra para um novo ambiente culturalmente diverso (Cuadrado & Tabernero, 2014;Schwartz, Unger, Zamboanga & Szapocznik, 2010).”

    From Acceptance and commitment therapy as a proposal of treatment for expatriates in soccer (2019) · cites this paper as Schwartz, Unger, Zamboanga & Szapocznik, 2010

    In “Rethinking Context: Context of Reception and Its Effects on Acculturation” (page unavailable), the paper links unfavorable reception and pressures concerning heritage and receiving cultures to acculturative stress, including anxiety and depression. But “Cultural Identifications” says ethnic identity is largely associated with positive outcomes and appears protective in most cases. The paper therefore supports a risk arising during acculturation, not the broader claim that cultural identity itself is a risk factor for all three outcomes. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Young expatriates are still undergoing identity construction within an intercultural context, which contributes to easy and fluid acquisition of new cultural practices, values, and identifications.

    “Além disso, estes jovens expatriados ainda estão passando pelo processo de construção da identidade dentro de um contexto intercultural o que contribuiria para uma fácil e fluida aquisição de novas práticas culturais, valores e identificações (Cheung, Chudek & Heine, 2011;Schwartz, Unger, Zamboanga & Szapocznik, 2010;Cuadrado & Tabernero, 2014).”

    From Acceptance and commitment therapy as a proposal of treatment for expatriates in soccer (2019) · cites this paper as Schwartz, Unger, Zamboanga & Szapocznik, 2010

    In “Rethinking the ‘One Size Fits All’ Assumption,” the paper says that people who migrate as young children are more likely than those who migrate later to acquire receiving-culture practices, values, and identifications easily and fluidly. It does not extend that finding to young expatriates generally or say that ongoing identity construction in an intercultural context causes the easier acquisition. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Individualistic attitudes and values can put the individual at risk for adhering to committed and healthy behavior, while collectivistic attitudes and values appear to be protective and help in adequate adaptation to a new culture.

    “Ainda, atitudes e valores individualistas podem colocar o indivíduo em risco para aderir a um comportamento comprometido e saudável, enquanto que atitudes e valores coletivistas parecem ser protetivos e auxiliar em uma adequada adaptação a uma nova cultura (Schwartz, Unger, Zamboanga & Szapocznik, 2010).”

    From Acceptance and commitment therapy as a proposal of treatment for expatriates in soccer (2019) · cites this paper as Schwartz, Unger, Zamboanga & Szapocznik, 2010

    The Cultural Values section says individualistic attitudes and values may increase the risk of health-compromising behaviors, while collectivist attitudes and values may be protective. It does not say that collectivist values help people adapt adequately to a new culture. The claim’s wording about “healthy behavior” also differs from the source’s “health-compromising behaviors.” (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Schwartz, S. J., Unger, J. B., Zamboanga, B. L., & Szapocznik, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Miami (US)
  • Claremont Graduate University (US)
  • Smith College (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Psychologist
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2010-05
Volume
65
Issue
4
Pages
237-251
ISSN
  • 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-990X
DOI
10.1037/a0019330
PMC
PMC3700543
OpenAlex
W1984303969
Cited by
2,226
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 145 · 2025: 161 · 2024: 151 · 2023: 143 · 2022: 149 · 2021: 202 · 2020: 209 · 2019: 162 · 2018: 148 · 2017: 143 · 2016: 141 · 2015: 126 · 2014: 102 · 2013: 102 · 2012: 84
FWCI
255.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA019409; DA026550)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Migration, Refugees, and Integration
Keywords
acculturation, international migrants, immigrant paradox, heritage culture, cultural similarity, discrimination, ethnicity, psychosocial outcomes, health outcomes, immigrant children, cultural identity
MeSH terms
Acculturation, Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Prejudice, Psychological Theory, Public Policy, Refugees, Research, Social Identification, Social Values, Stereotyping, Emigrants and Immigrants

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