(PS6-83) Understanding the Immigration Paradox: Barriers and Facilitators to Managing Acculturation Stress

Abstract Text:

Background: Immigrants face unique life challenges and stressors, particularly surrounding the process of acculturating to a new culture. This so-called acculturative stress can lead to adverse mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Although acculturative stress has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, evidence has been mixed. We conducted a scoping review to examine the relationship between acculturation and mental health outcomes for immigrants to the United States (U.S).

Methods: We conducted a literature search on PubMed, APA PsycNet, and JStor, and included articles peer-reviewed and published during or after 2000. Article selection and data extraction were conducted using the Covidence software and extraction template. Two independent reviewers (IH and AAH) independently reviewed the article title, abstract, and full text. Any conflict between reviewers was resolved through discussion and consensus with a third reviewer (BO).

Results: In this search, 32 out of 174 articles screened were deemed relevant, and 15 were eligible for inclusion using a-priori inclusion/exclusion checklist. Eligible studies collectively included 40,912 participants, with study sample sizes ranging from 40 to 33,373. Twelve studies were cross-sectional, one was qualitative, one was longitudinal, and one was a retrospective analysis of prior collected data. Risk factors for experiencing acculturation stress and subsequent poor mental health outcomes include older age at the time of arrival to the U.S, poor social support, racial discrimination, and personality traits (e.g., levels of extraversion and neuroticism). Protective factors against acculturative stress and development of poor mental health outcomes in immigrants include strong social support, connection with a religion, a strong sense of spirituality, cultural consonance (i.e., alignment with U.S cultural norms), and higher English language proficiency.

Discussion: Findings highlight the importance of considering systemic factors like racial discrimination to understand acculturation stress and associated mental health symptoms. Limitations to this scoping review include a gap in the literature on the longitudinal effects of acculturative stress on mental health outcomes. Future research focusing on the long-term effects of acculturative stress may reveal more nuanced patterns of the acculturation process for individuals and their communities, enabling tailored, mental health interventions focused on specific immigrant groups.