Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S.
Objective: This study investigates the influence of acculturative stress on the mental well-being of Cuban-born women and Latina immigrants, emphasizing their distinctive experiences. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Latino Asian American Study (NLAAS), a comprehensive nationwide mental hea...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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Series: | Social Sciences |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/72 |
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author | Venera Bekteshi Jennifer L. Bellamy |
author_facet | Venera Bekteshi Jennifer L. Bellamy |
author_sort | Venera Bekteshi |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Objective: This study investigates the influence of acculturative stress on the mental well-being of Cuban-born women and Latina immigrants, emphasizing their distinctive experiences. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Latino Asian American Study (NLAAS), a comprehensive nationwide mental health investigation among Latino and Asian Americans, this study examined 264 Cuban women (average age: 58) who migrated to the United States and live in south Florida. The study employed Family Stress Management (FSM) framework and Bekteshi et al.’s Contextual Influence on Acculturative Stress (CIAS) framework to scrutinize the interplay of contextual factors and individual characteristics impacting adolescents’ psychological distress. Results: The findings revealed several noteworthy associations. Higher levels of church attendance, challenges in visiting family overseas, and perceived racial discrimination correlated with elevated stress levels. Furthermore, the age at which individuals immigrated was positively linked to increased stress (b = 0.18; <i>p</i> = 0.04), indicating that older Cuban immigrants experienced greater psychological distress upon their arrival in the United States. Additionally, higher levels of conflict between family and cultural values, as well as intensified religious beliefs, were associated with elevated distress levels. Conclusion: This study underscores the intricate interplay of diverse contextual factors in shaping the mental health and well-being of Cuban-born women. The insights derived from this research have implications for the development of tailored interventions and support systems, aiming to address the unique needs of this population. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:14:21Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-d00ce0103ba34affa26a1697dfb713b9 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2076-0760 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:14:21Z |
publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Social Sciences |
spelling | doaj.art-d00ce0103ba34affa26a1697dfb713b92024-02-23T15:34:31ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602024-01-011327210.3390/socsci13020072Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S.Venera Bekteshi0Jennifer L. Bellamy1Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USAGraduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USAObjective: This study investigates the influence of acculturative stress on the mental well-being of Cuban-born women and Latina immigrants, emphasizing their distinctive experiences. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Latino Asian American Study (NLAAS), a comprehensive nationwide mental health investigation among Latino and Asian Americans, this study examined 264 Cuban women (average age: 58) who migrated to the United States and live in south Florida. The study employed Family Stress Management (FSM) framework and Bekteshi et al.’s Contextual Influence on Acculturative Stress (CIAS) framework to scrutinize the interplay of contextual factors and individual characteristics impacting adolescents’ psychological distress. Results: The findings revealed several noteworthy associations. Higher levels of church attendance, challenges in visiting family overseas, and perceived racial discrimination correlated with elevated stress levels. Furthermore, the age at which individuals immigrated was positively linked to increased stress (b = 0.18; <i>p</i> = 0.04), indicating that older Cuban immigrants experienced greater psychological distress upon their arrival in the United States. Additionally, higher levels of conflict between family and cultural values, as well as intensified religious beliefs, were associated with elevated distress levels. Conclusion: This study underscores the intricate interplay of diverse contextual factors in shaping the mental health and well-being of Cuban-born women. The insights derived from this research have implications for the development of tailored interventions and support systems, aiming to address the unique needs of this population.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/72Cuban immigrantsimmigrant womenacculturative stressacculturation |
spellingShingle | Venera Bekteshi Jennifer L. Bellamy Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S. Social Sciences Cuban immigrants immigrant women acculturative stress acculturation |
title | Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S. |
title_full | Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S. |
title_fullStr | Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S. |
title_full_unstemmed | Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S. |
title_short | Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S. |
title_sort | examining external and internal acculturative factors cuban born women s experience of well being in the u s |
topic | Cuban immigrants immigrant women acculturative stress acculturation |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/72 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT venerabekteshi examiningexternalandinternalacculturativefactorscubanbornwomensexperienceofwellbeingintheus AT jenniferlbellamy examiningexternalandinternalacculturativefactorscubanbornwomensexperienceofwellbeingintheus |