A Longitudinal Study of Social Capital and Acculturation-Related Stress Among Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida

• Published in: Hispanic journal of behavioral sciences 2013-11, Vol.35 (4), p.469-485
• Main Authors: Concha, Maritza, Sanchez, Mariana, Rosa, Mario de la, Villar, María Elena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acculturation; Children; Correlation; Correlation analysis; Cultural Awareness; Cultural Capital; Factor Analysis; Family Programs; Florida; Friendship; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic people; Immigrants; Immigration; Intervention; Limited English Speaking; Longitudinal Studies; Measures (Individuals); Participant Characteristics; Sampling; Social Capital; Social Support; Social Support Groups; Stress; Stress Variables; Structural Equation Models; United States of America
• ISSN: 0739-9863; 1552-6364
• DOI: 10.1177/0739986313499005

This study uses social capital to assess the effects of social support on acculturation-related stress among recently immigrated Hispanics in South Florida before and after immigration. At baseline (N = 527), first 12 months in the United States, acculturative stress was negatively related to support from friends (p < .044) and positively related to support from parents (p < .023). At first follow-up (n = 415), 24 months in the United States, emotional/informational support was negatively associated with acculturation-related stress (p < .028). In the second follow-up (n = 478), 36 months in the United States, support from children was negatively associated with acculturation-related stress (p < .016). Limited English proficiency was found to be negatively associated with acculturation stress at all three points (p < .001, p < .025, and p < .001, respectively). Implications of this study can be used in the design of culturally appropriate and family-oriented interventions for recent immigrants to ease the acculturation process.