Tridimensional Acculturation and Mental Health of Black Caribbean Immigrants to the U.S.

Abstract

There are many immigrants to the U.S., notably a large population of Black Caribbean first- or second-generation immigrants. To date, there is little research about the acculturation of this large group. Moving beyond the traditional bidimensional models of acculturation, this study used a tridimensional framework that incorporated Caribbean, European American, and African American cultural orientations. Using both dimensional and categorical approaches to acculturation, the study tested whether cultural affiliations and/or acculturation strategies were associated with psychological well-being. Findings from the dimensional approach revealed that Caribbean cultural orientation was positively associated with life satisfaction, but neither African American nor European American orientations were significantly related to psychological distress or life satisfaction. Findings from the categorical approach showed no significant differences in psychological distress across acculturation strategies. However, significant differences were found in life satisfaction. Overall the findings highlighted the potential benefits to well-being from maintaining a strong connection to Caribbean heritage and underscored the complexity of cultural adaptation in a racially stratified society. Implications for acculturation theory, culturally-sensitive mental health interventions, and future research were discussed.

Keywords: tridimensional acculturation, Black Caribbean immigrants, psychological distress, life satisfaction, cultural orientation, identity integration