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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Main Authors: Venera Bekteshi, Jennifer L. Bellamy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Social Sciences
Subjects:
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.
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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
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