Title

The importance of addressing acculturative stress in marital therapy with Hispanic immigrant women

Authors

Authors

C. Negy; M. E. Hammons; A. Reig-Ferrer;T. M. Carper

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Int. J. Clin. Health Psychol.

Keywords

Acculturative stress; Marital therapy; Marital distress; Hispanic; immigrants women; Survey descriptive study; SOCIAL SUPPORT; COLLEGE-STUDENTS; DEPRESSION; MARRIAGE; SCALE; PSYCHOTHERAPY; ADJUSTMENT; PSYCHOLOGY; INVENTORY; DISTRESS; Psychology, Clinical

Abstract

In this study, we examined the relation between acculturative stress and marital distress among Hispanic immigrant women (N = 95) from the community and explored the role of other variables believed to be important to marital functioning generally, and among immigrants, specifically (e.g., acculturation, ethnic identity, social support, etc.). Consistent with transactional theory of stress, increases in acculturative stress were associated significantly with higher levels of marital distress. A stepwise regression analysis indicated that, among study variables, only acculturative stress and social support contributed significantly to the prediction of marital distress. A mediational analysis indicated that social Support partially mediated the effects of acculturative stress on marital distress. Overall, results suggest that although social support seems to reduce both acculturative stress and marital distress, acculturative stress appears to be linked independently with marital distress. The importance of mental health professionals to address acculturative stress with Hispanic women or couples in marital therapy is discussed.

Journal Title

International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology

Volume

10

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

5

Last Page

21

WOS Identifier

WOS:000272522900001

ISSN

1697-2600

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