Miranda and Matheny (2000)


• Aim: 


  To identify factors that decrease acculturative stress among Latino immigrants in the United States.
• Research Method:


  • Design: Survey-based study
  • Participants: 197 Latino immigrants
  • Tools:

  1. Questionnaire
  2. Standardized tests assessing:

  • Family cohesion
  • Level of acculturation
  • Acculturative stress
  • Coping strategies for stress
• Procedure:

  1. Random sampling of participants from two social services agencies
  2. Participants completed the questionnaire and standardized tests
• Results:

  1. Family Cohesion: Strong family support linked to lower acculturative stress
  2. English Proficiency: Higher proficiency associated with reduced stress levels
  3. Coping Strategies: Effective coping mechanisms correlated with lower acculturative stress
  4. Duration of Stay:

  • Longer duration correlated with higher levels of acculturation
  • Longer stay also correlated with reduced acculturative stress
• Conclusion:

  1. Protective factors (family cohesion, English proficiency, effective coping strategies) decrease acculturative stress among Latino immigrants
  2. Length of time in the US positively influences acculturation and reduces stress, indicating that adaptation facilitates better mental health outcomes over time
• Strengths:


  1. Use of standardized tests increases reliability and validity
  2. Random sampling enhances representativeness of the sample
  3. Addresses multiple factors influencing acculturation, providing a comprehensive view
  4. Practical implications for supporting immigrant populations
  5. Quantitative approach allows for statistical analysis of relationships between variables
• Limitations:


  1. Cross-sectional design limits causal inferences
  2. Reliance on self-report measures may introduce bias
  3. Sample drawn from social services agencies may not represent all Latino immigrants
  4. Potential cultural bias in standardized tests if not adapted for Latino population
  5. Does not account for variations within Latino subgroups (e.g., country of origin, reason for immigration)
  6. Limited generalizability to non-Latino immigrant populations
• This study contributes to our understanding of factors influencing acculturative stress, but should be considered alongside other research for a comprehensive view