Date Approved
4-28-2013
Date Posted
9-19-2013
Degree Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department or School
Psychology
Committee Member
Tamara Loverich, PhD, Chair
Committee Member
Heather C. Janisse
Committee Member
Thomas A. Schmitt
Abstract
Cultural context is fundamental in cross-cultural conceptualizations of risk factors for mental health status among ethnic minorities. Existing studies indicate that acculturation level predicts psychological adjustment, but findings remain inconclusive. This study, consisting of university students of Asian descent, evaluated the relationship between acculturation level and internalizing/externalizing problems via the incorporation of more proximal measures of risk factors associated with acculturation (e.g., acculturative dissonance and acculturative stress). In addition, the predictive values of non-culture specific risk factors, such as emotion dysregulation and experiential avoidance, were examined. Acculturation-related stressors and difficulties with emotion regulation increased risk for maladjustment within the study’s sample. Furthermore,experiential avoidance and emotion dysregulation mediated and moderated the relationship between acculturative stress and psychological distress, respectively. The findings suggest that acculturation influences psychological adjustment through a number of factors, including acculturation-related stressors as well as emotion regulation difficulties.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Joo-Hyun, "An evaluation of culture-specific risk factors and emotion regulation strategies on psychological distress and maladaptive behaviors among Asian Americans" (2013). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 498.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/498