PART 1
Health Locus of Control
PART 2
CONCLUSIONS
METHODS
DISCUSSION
APPENDIXES
Part II; Culture and Health
Mode of Acculturation
Acculturation is a function of the extent to which one is immersed in the mainstream (dominant) culture, and the culture to which the individual has cultural origins (ethnic). The model to the left was used by Stephenson (1999) in formulating the multidimensional Multi-group Acculturation Scale (MAS). An assimilated individual demonstrates high Dominant and low Ethnic Society Immersion. A Western European, or an individual who rejects their country of origin might be of this mode. An integrated (bicultural) individual would score high on both Dominant and Ethnic Society Immersion subscales. An Italian American in this mode might work and be friends with the dominant group, but choose to speak Italian at home and marry within the Italian community. A separated individual would score high on Ethnic Society Immersion, but low on Dominant Society. Individuals living in ethnic enclaves like China Town, Little Italy, etc, are likely to belong to this mode. A marginalized individual would score low on both the Dominant and Ethnic Society Immersion subscales, identifying with no particular set of beliefs.
The marginalized style is the least adaptive and associated with the most psychological problems and stress levels. Accepting/ being accepted by neither the mainstream nor country of origin, the individual is apt to experience a number of excess stressors perpetuated by a lack of social support. A separated mode might be endorsed by an individual who associates only with individuals of their same cultural background. While they are immersed and accepted in the ethnic society, they may not accept the mainstream belief structure, and/or mainstream society may alienate the individual. The integrated and assimilated modes are considered the most psychologically healthy adaption styles, although some individuals benefit more from one than from the other. Western Europeans and individuals whose families have been in the United States for a number of generations (and are not discriminated against), are most likely to espouse an assimilated mode; they share the most in common with mainstream Anglo-American value structures. Whereas individuals who retain value structures from their country of origin divergent from Anglo-American custom, and/ or who experience discrimination, benefit more from an integrated mode.
