Changes in Family Cohesion and Acculturative Stress among Recent Latino Immigrants

J Ethn Cult Divers Soc Work. 2015 Jul 1;24(3):219-234. doi: 10.1080/15313204.2014.991979. Epub 2015 Jul 25.

Abstract

Family relationships can serve as an important source of support during the acculturation process; yet, how the stress related to acculturation, or acculturative stress, may impact family functioning across time is not clear. Participants (n = 479), between the ages of 18-34 were recruited using respondent driven sampling methodology. Findings suggest family cohesion decreased over time; however, it decreased less for those reporting more acculturative stress. The implication is that for those Latino immigrants who struggle to adapt to their new host culture, family remains a source of support more so than for those who do not struggle as much.

Keywords: Hispanic; Latino; acculturative stress; family; family cohesion; immigrants.