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Acculturation and health behaviors among older Chinese immigrants in the United States: A qualitative descriptive study

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  • Weiyu Mao
  • Jia Li
  • Ling Xu
  • Iris Chi

Abstract

Older immigrants tend to experience rapid deterioration in health after immigration. Changes in health behaviors over the course of acculturation are considered attributable factors. However, much remains unknown when it comes to acculturation experiences and health behaviors among older immigrants. This study explored acculturation in three domains (behavioral, cognitive, and identificational) and described how each domain of acculturation could influence various health behaviors among community‐dwelling older Chinese immigrants in the United States. In this qualitative descriptive study, trained bilingual interviewers conducted in‐depth individual interviews with 24 participants in the greater Los Angeles area. Acculturation experiences emerged from qualitative content analysis, such as high dependence on Chinese behavioral patterns and intraethnic networks and limited intergroup interactions (behavioral acculturation), strong maintenance of Chinese cultural values and some American cultural learning (cognitive acculturation), and strong identification with Chinese ethnicity (identificational acculturation). Behavioral acculturation and cognitive acculturation may influence various health behaviors, including eating/diet, exercise, chronic disease, and mental health management. By recognizing the unique acculturation experiences, interventions could be developed to promote healthy behaviors in achieving optimal health in this population.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiyu Mao & Jia Li & Ling Xu & Iris Chi, 2020. "Acculturation and health behaviors among older Chinese immigrants in the United States: A qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(3), pages 714-722, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:nuhsci:v:22:y:2020:i:3:p:714-722
    DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12718
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Kelly & Steven Martin & Isla Kuhn & Andy Cowan & Carol Brayne & Louise Lafortune, 2016. "Barriers and Facilitators to the Uptake and Maintenance of Healthy Behaviours by People at Mid-Life: A Rapid Systematic Review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(1), pages 1-26, January.
    2. Chun, Kevin M. & Chesla, Catherine A. & Kwan, Christine M.L., 2011. ""So We Adapt Step by Step": Acculturation experiences affecting diabetes management and perceived health for Chinese American immigrants," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 256-264, January.
    3. Zi Yan & Kathleen FitzPatrick, 2016. "Acculturation and health behaviors among international students: A qualitative approach," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(1), pages 58-63, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ling Xu & Jia Li & Weiyu Mao & Iris Chi, 2023. "Exploration of Social Exclusion among Older Chinese Immigrants in the USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Barbara Badanta & Juan Vega-Escaño & Sergio Barrientos-Trigo & Lorena Tarriño-Concejero & María Ángeles García-Carpintero Muñoz & María González-Cano-Caballero & Antonio Barbero-Radío & Domingo de-Ped, 2021. "Acculturation, Health Behaviors, and Social Relations among Chinese Immigrants Living in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-15, July.

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