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This reflective paper shares the experiences of a higher education professional living and working abroad and the long-term impacts of those experiences on their self-authorship journey through reflection ten years later. The story of this reflection focuses on how cultural differences and community ties helped to facilitate growth and self-confidence through navigating the challenges and complexities of living abroad in a culture with differing conventions. The paper concludes by sharing how reflecting on self-authorship during and after international experiences can help develop personal identities both as an individual and within a collective.

This paper is based on the ethnographic multiple case study of four refugee background youths from Burma at four different schools in a midwestern urban school district in the US. My research finds that the normalization of English constructed the focal youths' language-related identities. I also argue that through this normalization, language difference between school and home became a difference that marginalized the focal youth in their class and racialized their subjectivity.

International students leave their countries to pursue their educational goals in a different country and must adapt to succeed. However, they may face challenges when adapting to and learning a new culture. This study investigates the challenges common to international students in their host countries and summarizes the publishing trends. A literature search of peer-reviewed articles published in Scopus, Taylor & Francis, EBSCO Host, Web of Science, Springer, PubMed, and Wiley Online over 21 years (2002-2022) was done for data collection. After the screening, a total of 175 articles were included in this review and analyzed with content analysis. The findings show that the top four destinations for international students (USA, UK, Australia, and Canada) produced the most articles about international students' challenges. Additionally, most papers investigated more than one challenge, and sociocultural (82.9%) and academic challenges (82.3%) were the most researched, with language issues as the primary cause. The results also show no changes or improvement in the challenges of international students in 21 years, and areas such as psychological and economic challenges need more research. These challenges and other trends found in the articles are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.

The growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the United States (US) has disproportionately affected minority populations more than their white counterparts. A population that is often overlooked is the Asian American population, particularly Southeastern Asian immigrants. Despite having relatively favorable socioeconomic indicators compared to the general US population, Asian Americans, specifically Southeast Asian individuals, face a significant burden of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and are considered a high cardiovascular disease risk group. In addition, most studies have aggregated Asian populations into one major racial group rather than analyzing the different ethnicities among the Asian categorization. While some studies suggest that the acculturation process has some degree of impact on cardiovascular health, there has not been a widely-used tool to measure or ascertain the totality of acculturation. Instead, multiple proxies have been used to measure acculturation, and prior studies have argued for more culturally-tailored acculturation proxies. This paper aims to assess the implications of different acculturation measures on cardiovascular health among Asian Americans, particularly Southeastern Asian immigrants. The following proxies were expanded on in this paper: English spoken at home, length of stay in the US, religiosity and spirituality, and admixed family structures. Previous studies showed that as the length of stay in the US increases, the burden of cardiovascular risk factors increases. However, the impact of English spoken at home, religiosity, and admixed family structure are still inconclusive given the extent of current studies. While most studies suggest that an increase in acculturation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, it is critical to note that acculturation is a multifaceted process. Therefore, more studies are necessary to appropriately examine the implications of various acculturation processes on cardiovascular risk factors in Asians, specifically Southeastern Asian individuals in the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Korean immigrant fathers' lived experiences of their parenting involvement by using interpretative phenomenological analysis of seven participants who were recruited through Korean ethnic churches in a Midwestern city. In semi-structured interviews, we explored five main areas affecting Korean immigrant fathers' perceptions and attitudes toward parenting involvement and found the following issues to be especially salient for participants: limited acculturation progress, economic difficulties, low self-esteem, experiences of intergenerational conflict, and involvement in religious faith and church activities. This study contributes to the field's understanding of Korean immigrant fathers' perceptions of intergenerational and intercultural conflicts when raising their Americanized children and underlines for mental health providers the importance of providing culturally competent parenting education on the topic of positive fathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belonging is a human need, one that is particularly difficult for children of immigrants to achieve. The Second-generation youth hangs in a balance between the culture of their parents and that of their friends and peers. Often these youth feel that they are not heard or seen by those around them, enhancing the feeling of not belonging in their communities, or even in their country. Therapeutic interventions could potentially create a "third space" in which they feel a sense of belonging. This paper explores the complexity in the experience of belonging in second-generation Latinx youth through a review of the literature, psychodynamic theories, a composite clinical case example and the reflections and implications to and from Second-generation Latina therapist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Immigrant health discussions often focus on acculturation and omit discussions on historical events that may underlie health differences among immigrant older adults. This paper provides a historical overview of immigration policy and flows to the U.S. and examines insurance access and health difficulties by sending country. Methods: We analyzed the "Immigrants Admitted to the United States, Fiscal Years 1972–2000" and 2015–2019 American Community Survey datasets to examine the number of admitted immigrants, sociodemographic profiles for current immigrant older adults, and the predicted probabilities of health insurance access and health difficulties. Results: Our results highlight alignment of immigration flows with immigration legislation and vast heterogeneity in migration, health, and healthcare access of immigrants by sending country. Discussion/Implications: Public health practitioners must consider how historical events and social factors contribute to the healthcare access and health of immigrant populations, as demographic shifts will require interventions that promote equitable healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many believe religion has no place in modern medical and professional fields. Nevertheless, recent studies show that religion remains integral to many people's lives and professional practices, such as physicians. This study addresses the significance that American Muslim physicians (AMPs) attribute to their religious values in shaping their identity; and examines how the values held by self-identified Muslim physicians affect their medical practice, specialization, public roles, and civic engagement. This paper also discusses how complex lives may not be adequately addressed by theories of value derived from modernization theory and more normatively conceived Muslim ethical principles. Individual interviews were conducted with 62 AMPs. Grounded thematic analysis guided the processing of qualitative interview data. The results suggest that many of the AMPs' religious values converge with shared cultural and professional values in the United States and elsewhere. The authors suggest that focusing on how AMPs articulate their values will lead to more humane professional, community, and healthcare settings. Regardless of the religious beliefs of professional providers, they should not ignore the impact of religion on their medical practice, especially since religion is still a vital part of many patients' lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International graduate students deal with an array of stress when arriving in the United States for the purpose of their studies. This stress relates to various difficulties with regards to their acculturation process. In the absence of family and friends, the importance of counselling services on campus is a vital resource for the support of international graduate student. This paper highlights the provisions and importance of culturally competent counselling for international graduate students on US campuses. Key implications are discussed for how university practitioners and administrators might best provide resources and support international graduate students in the future. This could lead to more effective results in the improvement of international students' mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper studies second-generation Bosnians in the United States, to understand the identity formation of this population after the Bosnian War through the lenses of home, belonging and borders. Through archival research and extended interviews, second-generation Bosnian-Americans were asked questions about their dual/hybrid identity and their sense of home and belonging. Analysis of the data shows that the second generation has had relatively weak acculturation, by some measures, due to close identification with their heritage. Yet, the second generation's view of the Bosnian War is different from that of the first generation, who prefer to distance themselves from memories of war. The second generation would like to preserve their parents' experiences as a part of their lives and pass it on to the next generation of Bosnian-Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnography as a field of qualitative inquiry unearths varied understandings of communication phenomena. Narrative ethnography is an epistemology, a way of knowing, and a tool with a range of forms and styles for discovering meaning, and communicating it through stories (Goodall, 2008). This paper reveals the cultural dissonance of an immigrant residing in the United States, expressing the dissonance in narratives. It contextualizes the narratives within benchmarks of the native culture and in studies done on ethnicity, race, coping and acculturation. It identifies the barriers to the immigrant's assimilation after 30 years of living in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic violence (DV) has serious implications for the welfare of South Asian (SA) women in the United States. Previous studies have identified significantly lower rates of help-seeking among SA women compared to the dominant culture and other cultural groups. However, there are no scoping reviews that summarize the literature to identify strategies for intervention and future research in order to promote faster and larger systemic wide change that is urgently necessary to meet the needs of this vulnerable population. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize empirical studies that explore the socio-cultural factors related to the help-seeking behavior of SA women primarily in the United States. Forty-five English language peer reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. The socio-cultural factors identified in the reviewed studies using a descriptive analytical method with a narrative review are patriarchy, acculturation, socioeconomic status, cultural competency, and immigration status. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on empathic behavior of Iranians, Americans, and Biculturals, this paper investigated how living as a bicultural in a culturally different environment affects situational empathy and intergroup empathy bias. Findings show participants' cultural background and group identity significantly impacted their empathic responsiveness in favor of people with collectivist cultural norms. Further, people raised in a socio-centric/collectivist society reported higher empathy for in-group members compared to those raised in an ego-centric/individualist society. Regardless of nationality, affective empathy was reported higher than cognitive empathy. The same trend was found for individualist cultural norms, especially for biculturals, suggesting there is a global trend of individualism. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Social determinants of health (SDOH) are structural factors that yield health inequities. Within the context of cancer, these inequities include screening rates and survival rates, as well as higher symptom burden during and after treatment. While pain is one of the most frequently reported symptoms, the relationship between SDOHs and cancer pain is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to describe and synthesize the published research that has evaluated the relationships between SDOH and cancer pain. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted to identify studies in which cancer pain and SDOH were described. In all, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 14 studies reported a primary aim related to SDOH and cancer pain. Demographic variables including education or income were used most frequently. Six specific measurements were utilized to measure SDOH, such as the acculturation scale, the composite measure of zip codes for poverty level and blight prevalence, or the segregation index. Among the five domains of SDOH based on Healthy People 2030, social and community was the most studied, followed by economic stability, and education access and quality. The neighborhood and built environment domain was the least studied. Despite increasing attention to SDOH, the majority of published studies use single-dimension variables derived from demographic data to evaluate the relationships between SDOH and cancer pain. Future research is needed to explore the intersectionality of SDOH domains and their impact on cancer pain. Additionally, intervention studies should be conducted to address existing disparities and to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is a chronic illness and increasing among older populations. Self-care is a critical element in managing diabetes. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) has been used and applied in nursing to explain significant self-care concepts. Although older Korean immigrants are marginalized in maintaining optimal health status and accessing adequate health services, related studies are still lacking. Utilization of Orem's SCDNT allows nurses to better understand associated factors in self-care among older Korean immigrants with diabetes. Purpose: The first aim is to explain the significant concepts of SCDNT. The second aim is to examine basic conditioning factors on self-care among older Korean immigrants with diabetes based on Orem's SCDNT. Methods: Each concept and structure of Orem's SCDNT was described with a table and figure. The 10 basic conditioning factors in self-care among older Korean immigrants with diabetes were investigated based on the previous literature and discussed in terms of Orem's SCDNT. Results: By exploring the 10 basic conditioning factors among older Korean immigrants, nurses can identify related factors in the self-care of this minority immigrant group and initiate the development of culturally tailored and age-specific nursing interventions. Implications for Nursing Practice: This study provides an understanding of related self-care factors among older Korean immigrants with diabetes. Additionally, the findings will help nurses to develop customized effective interventions and implement appropriate diabetes care for this minority group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on the economic assimilation of recent U.S.-born children of immigrants who form the new second generation has disproportionately focused on their educational attainment and other early-life outcomes. In this study, we examine the earnings trajectories of second-generation men through a large part of their adult lives using a unique dataset that links respondents from more than two decades of the Current Population Survey to their longitudinal tax records. This longitudinal information allows us to compare the progress second-generation men of different race and ethnicity make in narrowing the earnings gaps with later generations. We consider the extent to which differences in educational attainment and in early occupational placement affect the earnings trajectories of second-generation men. New second-generation men as a whole experience considerable earnings mobility during their lifetimes. However, we also find large differences by race and ethnicity that cannot be fully explained by educational attainment. Second-generation Hispanic men in particular begin their careers with an earnings deficit relative to later-generation White men and fall further behind. Thus, the stalling or reversal in Hispanic economic assimilation appears to begin during the course of the second generation rather than in later generations as previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian Americans (AA) in the United States, and throughout the world, commonly hold a negative connotation or stigma regarding seeking mental health services. Unique cultural stigmas and beliefs of AA play an important role when examining why this population group is less likely to engage in therapy. This article explains why these cultural stigmas and beliefs contribute to the lack of mental health help seeking. Through examining these stigmas, perception of therapy, loss of face, and parental control among AA will allow therapists to have a better understanding when they are working with this population. Also, the consideration is given of how the increase of Anti-Asian racism due to the COVID-19 pandemic affects AA and the challenges it creates. This article includes a case example that provides information on how stigmas impact an AA family who have differing cultural values and expectations while experiencing discrimination from COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological evidence suggests that regular physical activity (PA) positively impacts individuals' mental health (MH). The PA-MH relationship may be critical among immigrants owing to psycho-social-cultural influences. This scoping review of 61 studies employed a holistic bio-psycho-socio-cultural framework to thoroughly investigate the complex relationship between PA (across life domains) and immigrants' MH in Western countries. A systematic search of five electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Anthropology Plus) was conducted to locate relevant articles. No limitations were applied to study design, age, gender, home country, MH condition or PA type. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed conceptual model guided the analysis of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship. Immigrant PA-MH studies were conducted and reported most commonly in the USA (38%), Australia (18%), and Canada (11%). Overall, PA was positively related to MH. Each domain-specific PA appeared to be associated with unique MH-promoting pathways/mechanisms. Leisure-related PA may support MH by enhancing self-agency and minimizing risky behaviors, whilst travel- and domestic-related PA may promote self-accomplishment and physical engagement. Ethnic sports appeared to enhance resilience. Occupational-related PA was associated with either positive or negative MH, depending on the type of occupation. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed model is required to gain an encompassing and integrated understanding of immigrants' health. The first iteration of such a model is presented here, along with an illustration of how the model may be used to deepen analysis and understanding of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship among immigrants and inform public health planners and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 19th century roots of social work in social justice movements within immigrant communities continue to thrive in contemporary social work. Yet relatively little attention has focused on the challenges faced by Asian immigrants, currently the second largest immigrant group in the U.S. Indeed, Asians in the U.S. have long been stereotyped as a "model minority," perpetuating the myth that Asian children do not need special attention when acculturating to U.S. schools. Yet parents report obstacles to their children's acculturation, including racism. As part of a larger ethnography, this study examines how Japanese immigrant and temporary resident parents understand their children's acculturation to the U.S. We conducted in-depth, individual interviews with 14 Japanese immigrant and temporary resident parents of school-aged children. They discussed acculturation challenges centered on differences in the Japanese and U.S. cultural self, and how they modified their socialization practices to support their children's acculturation. Rather than employing Japanese child rearing practices that implicitly guide children by shaping their environment, parents shifted to explicit efforts to ensure their children's development of Japanese cultural selves in the U.S. Such practices, however, may result in children losing a sense of independence and autonomy important to both U.S. and Japanese cultural selves. These experiences of Japanese parents challenge the stereotype of Asians as a model minority. We discuss social work implications for culturally appropriate support for acculturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used qualitative interviews to look at the experiences of undocumented youth's journey to the United States. We examined challenges faced upon arrival, trauma at home and on the journey, and the impact on their life in the U.S. Our findings indicate that all participants had traumatic experiences that impacted family, education, and daily functioning. School social workers are well-placed to assist undocumented youth in addressing these traumatic experiences and can be paramount to increasing their emotional stability by creating safe spaces to learn and to use healthy coping strategies while adjusting to a new culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public stigma toward those experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia in the general population is high; yet research into such stigma within the diverse Latino communities remains under-investigated. This study employed a randomized experimental vignette methodology to assess various domains of public stigma toward individuals experiencing psychosis and/or diabetes within Latino communities. A communitybased sample of 243 Latino adults participated. Contrary to our expectations, respondents who were more sympathetic toward those with mental health problems tended to score higher on public stigma. The belief that a person was responsible for their own mental health problems was associated with higher levels of stigma. Results indicate that perceptions of dangerousness toward someone experiencing psychosis were common, and the perception that a person was responsible for their mental health problems was associated with higher levels of stigma Results emphasize the complex nature of stigma within the diverse Latino communities and the need for ongoing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To summarize recent evidence of the relationship between acculturation and substance use addiction among foreign‐born persons living in the United States (U.S.) and abroad. Recent findings: Foreign‐born populations are increasing in many countries as a result of immigration and global refugee displacement. Acculturation and discrimination toward both populations have been related to the initiation of illicit substance use. The "immigrant paradox" may serve as a protective factor against the initiation and worsening prognosis of substance use disorders. Improving multilingual accessibility and frequency of use of clinical screeners may enhance addiction risk factor identification and potential interventions for foreign‐born populations living in countries of emigration, such as the U.S. Summary: Foreign‐born persons compose a significant proportion of nurse–patient interactions in the U.S. and abroad. The unique sociological phenomenon of the immigrant paradox may serve as a protective factor for foreign‐born persons despite the increased risk for adverse childhood events, acculturation, and discrimination. Due to conflicting evidence, future studies should examine longitudinal outcomes of substance use exclusively among foreign‐born persons as well as protective and risk factors associated with immigrants and refugees, respectively. Clinical relevance: Foreign‐born persons may experience unique risk factors associated with addiction. Future studies should focus on foreign‐born populations to explore if social constructs surrounding addiction can be extrapolated into other populations, including their second‐generation offspring. Differences surrounding migration contexts between immigrants and refugees may be important for clinical researchers to understand when designing research studies centered on these experiences. Nurses can play a significant role in identifying patients at risk for substance use by advocating for inclusive and comprehensive multilingual screeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embarking on an educational journey overseas can be a rewarding, yet stressful experience for many international students. The transition to their new university life, which is not always well understood and supported by host institutions, is often accompanied by unique difficulties and challenges resulting from unfamiliarity with a new academic environment, social and cultural differences, and language barriers. This study examines the cross-cultural transition experiences of international students enrolled at a mid-sized university in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States (U.S.). Using qualitative methods, we collected and analyzed data from reflection essays written by 378 international students between 2013 and 2020. This yielded experiential themes surrounding cross-cultural adaptation, adjustment, and acculturation to new local norms and values while studying in the U.S., including during an unwelcoming political climate and a global health pandemic. Drawing on Ward and Kennedy's (1999) model of sociocultural adjustment, we found that the experiences of international students were often characterized by distinctive psychological and sociocultural components. We contextualized the diverse student perspectives and relied on student voices to guide implications and offer recommendations to university staff and administrators with a goal to strengthen support services, enhance experiences, and ensure the well-being and success of this community. To our knowledge, this study represents the first time that a large data set of narratives, through reflection essays, has been analyzed to better understand the cross-cultural encounters of international students, both inside and outside of the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article extends research literature on the cultural production of nineteenth-century immigrants to America by exploring how a Danish American songbook constitutes an important historical source documenting the ethnic identity, political standpoint, and gradual acculturation of its compilers and users. Based on the seven editions of Songbook for the Danish People in America published between 1888 and 1949, the article demonstrates how the songbook was compiled as an ideological tool for intergenerational cultural transmission and cultural heritage maintenance, which ultimately laid the foundation for a new, Danish American cultural heritage. By linking the physical manifestation of the songbook with the semantic content of its songs and the social, embodied practice of singing, the article argues that the songbook became a locus for negotiations of ethnic identity, cultural heritage preservation, and acculturation among Danish Americans by the end of the nineteenth century and throughout the first half of the twentieth century. Each time a new edition was compiled, the editorial process spurred public debates about the current state of Danish ethnicity in America and the ideal strategy for integration. As such, the songbook offers a window on the variable and negotiable nature of ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined relationships between acculturation, acculturative stress, and symptoms of eating disorders among Latina university students in the US. We hypothesized that acculturative stress would be associated with increased symptoms, and acculturation would indirectly be associated with fewer symptoms via acculturative stress. Survey data from 567 Latinas age 18 to 54 at a public Western university were collected online. Participants provided data on acculturation, acculturative stress, demographics, and eating disorders symptoms. The results indicated that acculturation was indirectly and negatively related to desire for thinness, binge eating, and bulimia via its negative association with acculturative stress, which in turn was positively associated with eating disorder symptoms. However, acculturation had a direct positive association with binge eating and bulimia after considering its indirect negative associations via acculturative stress. The unique contributions of this study and its implications for mental health professionals, the media, and higher education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted with the primary purpose to gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese students' acculturation by examining the effects of their acculturation strategies, sociocultural, psychological adaptation on the academic adaptation. The total number of 315 international Chinese students studying in the United States participated in an online survey. The mid-point split method was used to classify the four acculturation strategies among Chinese students. The results of a Chi-square test, ANOVA analyses and hierarchical regressions reveal that separation was the most preferred acculturation strategy by the Chinese students while marginalization was the least desirable. Chinese students did the best in sociocultural adaptation but the worst in academic adaptation. However, students who achieved a good sociocultural adaptation encountered unexpected problems with their psychological adaptation. Findings also indicate that international Chinese students' preference for separation and marginalization was associated with a better psychological and academic adaptation while integration and assimilation strategy was associated with a better sociocultural adaptation. Their academic adaptation can be predicted significantly by their psychological adaptation, not by their sociocultural adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States resettled over 70,000 ethnic Karen refugees between 2006 and 2019 due to a protracted civil war in Burma. The vast majority of these refugees have been resettled in urban areas despite the fact that most of them are from rural villages. The refugee-resettlement experience can be daunting, but the challenges are often more acute for elders (Johnson 2017). The aim of this study was to examine how a rural lifestyle may help older Karen as they adjust to their new lives in the US. Our findings suggest that rural living may soften the effects of certain acculturation stressors due to the familiarity of rural living and other factors. In particular, a rural lifestyle may mitigate acculturation stress specifically for elders in three ways: (1) promoting a healthy lifestyle; (2) sustaining or building relationships between elders and grandchildren and other youth; and (3) promoting skills and knowledge that can lead to feelings of self-worth and dignity for older people with a refugee background. In this article, we discuss how the experiences of one community of resettled Karen refugees seem to offer a counter-narrative to the "vulnerability trope" (King et al. 2017) that often dominates portrayals of older resettled refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the complex ways in which grandparent support, collectivism, and cultural orientations predict parenting stress in Chinese immigrant families in the United States. In particular, the focus was on understanding whether cultural values and orientations moderated the impact of grandparent support on parenting stress. The sample for this study included 256 Chinese immigrant mothers with children under age 5 living in the United States. The surveys were administered via online modalities. The results of the research indicated that both grandparent support and collectivism uniquely predicted decreased parenting stress. In addition, collectivism and Chinese cultural orientation moderated the association between grandparent support and mothers' parenting stress, such that the association between grandparent support and parenting stress was stronger for those mothers with high collectivism and stronger Chinese cultural orientation. These results provide a unique perspective on understanding individual variations in kin support for this population of mothers and point to specific family contexts in which grandparental care may be particularly beneficial as an intergenerational support system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Although a number of studies have documented cognitive health among older immigrants in the United States, little is known about how the life-course immigration experiences are associated with cognitive trajectories among older Chinese immigrants. We assess patterns of cognitive functioning and change over time and examine whether age at migration, reasons for migration, acculturation, perceived discrimination, and preferred dialects are related to cognitive trajectories. Methods The sample comprised 2,075 participants from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), who completed a battery of cognitive tests at four time points (2011–2019). Latent class growth analysis and multinomial logistic regression were utilized. Results Three latent classes of cognitive trajectories were identified: the low functioning with the fastest decline (LCF, 12%), the moderate functioning with a medium decline rate (MCF, 39%), and the high functioning with the slowest decline (HCF, 48%). Perceiving more discrimination reduced, whereas speaking Taishanese increased the odds of being in the LCF and MCF. High acculturation only distinguished MCF from HCF after controlling for the known factors of cognitive health such as age, education, and social engagement. Discussion This study identifies a group of older Chinese immigrants who are especially vulnerable to cognitive impairment and indicates that the risk of cognitive decline appears to be elevated with lower levels of acculturation and unidentified racial discrimination. More research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms that link the life-course immigration experiences to cognitive health outcomes in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is important for physical and mental health. Latinx individuals are thought to experience worse sleep and associated health outcomes, resulting in health disparities. There is a dearth of research on the factors (e.g., employment status, age at immigration) that predict poor sleep among Latinx immigrants. The present study aimed to (1) examine the link between demographic factors, immigration-related factors, and acculturation stress, and sleep, and (2) identify factors that either attenuate or intensify the link between acculturation stress and sleep among Latinx immigrants in the US South, an immigrant-hostile area that is home to an increasing Latinx population that remains understudied. Hierarchical regressions were used to analyze data from 391 Latinx adult immigrants, examining the link between demographic factors, immigration-related factors, acculturation stress, and two sleep variables (sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep). Employment status and age at immigration were examined as moderators of the link between acculturation stress and sleep. Data were collected through in-person surveys. Regressions showed that acculturation stress was significantly linked to worse sleep quality (β = 0.30, p = 0.001) and more difficulty falling asleep (β = 0.41, p < 0.001), while controlling for participant characteristics. Younger age at immigration (β = − 0.14, p = 0.005) and being unemployed (β = − 0.13, p = 0.006) were associated with more difficulty falling asleep. Age at immigration intensified the relationship between acculturation stress and sleep quality (β = 0.14, p = 0.005), difficulty falling asleep (β = 0.15, p = 0.002). Reducing acculturation stress is a meaningful intervention focus, with important implications for sleep health, particularly for recent Latinx immigrants. Age at immigration and employment status are also important factors to consider when designing targeted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop the Hispanic Optimism and Personal Expectancy (HOPE), a measure of optimism related to the concept of the American Dream. This measure assesses beliefs that are shared by Hispanic/Latinx immigrants and non-immigrants about opportunities for advancement in the United States. Based on focus groups consisting of both immigrant and non-immigrant Hispanic/Latinx participants (n = 93), twenty four (24) items for the measure were created from qualitative interviews. Separate exploratory (n = 174) and confirmatory (n = 181) factor analysis supported three factors: Hope for a better life, for freedom & security, and for economic opportunity. Results provided empirical support for the HOPE. A final set of sixteen (16) items are included in the HOPE measure. This measure can benefit researchers or counselors who work with Hispanic/Latinx immigrants to understand individual expectancies and barriers toward achieving their American Dream. We discuss implications for research and potential conceptions of U.S. meritocracy as a potential myth for minority and immigrant groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Healthcare (including dental care) service use is influenced by predisposing, enabling and need factors. One area with limited research is the association of acculturation (defined as behavioural changes in the adaptation to another culture) as a predisposing factor for dental care preventive service use. Preventive service use is a primary objective of Healthy People, 2030. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of acculturation with the preventive dental service use of dental pit‐and‐fissure sealant placement, among children in the United States, ages 6‐18 years. Methods: A cross‐sectional, secondary data analysis study was completed using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013‐2016 data. NHANES is a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized individuals across the United States. In the data set, children, ages 6‐18 years, had been evaluated for pit‐and‐fissure dental sealant use. Information that served as proxies for acculturation was length of stay in the United States (a citizen at the time of the survey; not a citizen and in the country <5 years; or not a citizen and in the country ≥5 years) and whether English was spoken at home (yes; no). Data were analysed for descriptive statistics. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine strength of the associations. Odds ratios for pit‐and‐fissure sealants among groups were determined. Results: There were 2220 children participants whose data were used for this study. Less than half (45.5%) had received dental pit‐and‐fissure sealants. A majority (53.3%) were white and were ages 12‐18 years (51.6%). The mean number of dental pit‐and‐fissure sealants among all children was 5.5. There was a lower percentage of children living in the United States <5 years who had received pit‐and‐fissure sealants than children who were citizens of the United States (22.2% vs 48.9%, respectively). The adjusted odds ratio was lower for dental pit‐and‐fissure sealants among children who were in the United States <5 years than children who were citizens of the United States (adjusted odds ratio, 0.38; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.24, 0.58). Conclusions: In this study, children who had lived in the United States <5 years were less likely to have pit‐and‐fissure sealants than children who were citizens of the United States. There is a need to reach all children with preventive services to improve dental quality of life, reduce the need for dental restorations and decrease overall financial burden regardless of time in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black immigrant women experience high risks for maternal complications, and some of these complications are related to dietary outcomes. This study aimed to explore Sub-Saharan African (SSA) pregnant women's dietary patterns and dietary transition post-immigration and during pregnancy. We used a narrative design with a Photovoice approach and collected data through semi-structured interviews, digital food diaries, and Photovoice interviews. We recruited eleven participants (n = 11) through community gatekeepers and analyzed data using a constructivist grounded theory approach with constant comparative methods. The changes in food processes and participants' reactions to these changes generated a dietary transition model with three stages: perplexity, deliberation, and acceptance. (1) Perplexity was caused by different food characteristics such as taste, texture, and options. (2) Participants described deliberation as a process of deciding the kind of foods/cooking styles that would be an integral part of their regular diet. All participants opted for what they referred to as the 'African diet.' (3) Acceptance was characterized by participants' resolve to figure out how to make their chosen types of food and eating habits 'work' for themselves and their families. This study emphasizes the importance of having a sense of self-efficacy, a positive attitude, and community support in enabling migrant women to navigate dietary transition until they are satisfied with newly constructed eating habits. This determination, along with community support and persistent connection to their home culture, might help immigrants resist dietary acculturation and maintain healthy cultural eating habits, which is particularly important during pregnancy, given the impact of diet on maternal and neonatal outcomes. These findings underscore the need for collaborating with migrants from SSA to develop culturally tailored dietary interventions focused on each stage of dietary transition. Future studies should include focus group discussions to leverage women's shared experiences and create knowledge/information exchange opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Challenges with acculturation in organizations may make employees an easy target of workplace incivility and awareness of what constitutes uncivil behaviors at work can influence the association between acculturation and incivility. The current study examined the links between acculturation, incivility and tested mentor holding behavior as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach: Survey data including responses to incivility vignettes were collected from 163 full-time first- and second-generation immigrant employees in the southeastern United States. The data were analyzed through moderated hierarchical regression analysis. Findings: The results indicated that those experiencing separation or marginalization in trying to acculturate into the dominant culture reported experiencing uncivil behaviors from supervisors and coworkers. Also, one's awareness of incivility moderated the positive relationship between experience of separation and experiences of incivility, such that this relationship was stronger for those who had higher awareness of what constitutes uncivil behavior. Additionally, the effect of marginalization on reported incivility was dampened with higher levels of mentor holding behavior. Originality/value: This study's findings extend the application of the selective incivility theory beyond the minoritized categories of race and gender to the immigrants struggling with acculturation in organizations. Also, our study lends support to widening the theoretical lens for mentoring to include relational systems theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes international doctoral students’ experiences and examines the relationships between their academic goals and psychological well-being and their sense of belonging and mental toughness. We used a multiple case study design based on three international doctoral students enrolled in education programs in the United States. Findings from six interviews about their experiences with their faculty mentors and peers showed that their sense of belonging and mental toughness related to academic goals and psychological well-being. Their sense of belonging impacted their academic goals or psychological well-being based on communication and relationships with their mentors and support from their peers. Also, their mental toughness impacted their academic goals or psychological well-being based on cognition, behavior, and affection. This study calls for faculty mentors and students to communicate early namely at the on-set of their programs and to establish a positive relationship that caters to cultural acculturation, academic success, and sense of belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine domestic violence (DV) perceptions and their correlates among South Asian (SA) immigrant men and women across the United States. Background: DV disparately impacts SA immigrants in the US due to acculturation, immigration barriers, and SA cultural values. Despite the high prevalence of DV among SAs, little is known about DV perceptions and their correlates among SAs. Studies have only been conducted on DV experiences with victims and women, excluding men leading to gaps in the evidence on DV perceptions. Method: This cross-sectional study included male and female SAs (N = 468) across the 50 US states. Hierarchical multiple regression examined the relationship between DV perceptions with sociodemographic factors, acculturation, and gender-role attitudes. Results: Overall, gender-role attitudes were associated with all four types of DV perceptions, whereas acculturation was associated with two types of DV perceptions. Conclusion: The current study is the first to identify DV perceptions and the correlates associated with DV perceptions among the SA community. Implications: The perceptions and the relationships that emerged in this study have implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The study findings can be pivotal in designing culturally responsive awareness interventions for SAs. These interventions can be subsequently adapted for other immigrant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

News consumption enhances the contact experience for first-generation immigrants and sojourners in their acculturation to the host culture. Using acculturation theory, this study explores interdisciplinary concepts related to understanding immigrants' and sojourners' believability evaluation of disinformation. The authors conducted an online experiment to examine the believability of disinformation by asking immigrants and sojourners (N = 71) to discern online news stories without disinformation from online stories containing disinformation. The present study found that first-generation immigrants and sojourners with higher levels of perceived English language proficiency, longer length of stays in the U.S., and greater US news consumption are more likely to demonstrate higher news IQ, which leads to less believability of disinformation. Although news plays a critical role in understanding current events and issues pertinent to individuals' day-to-day lives, communities, societies, and governments, immigrants and sojourners are largely marginalized populations as news consumers. As foreign-born residents make up close to 14% of the U.S. population, this study will provide meaningful insights. Supplemental data for this article is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10646175.2022.2027296 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-induced emigration from the Pacific Island countries to the United States is expected to increase as the island nations experience sea level rise. Since 1986, approximately 30,000 nationals from the Marshall Islands have immigrated to the United States. Hawaii has been a common destination for Marshallese immigrants over the past 30 years. However, Marshallese immigrants have not been fully acculturated to the United States. This has resulted in problems such as lower attendance rates at schools and work. In this study, we compared Marshallese immigrants' characteristics with those of second-generation Japanese immigrants to the United States from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, on the basis of the latter's documented adaptation to American society and establishment of a positive social status. We identified differences between Marshallese immigrants to Hawaii (from the late 1980s to the present) and Japanese immigrants to Hawaii (from the 1880s to the 1920s). This comparision is made from the viewpoint of second-generation immigrants' self identification while considering first-generation immigrants parenting of their children inculcating national and cultural identity. A comparison was made to identify the similarity and dissimilarity between the two second-generation groups, in order to identify the factors that made their acculturation to American society either a success or failure. It was found that the manner in which first-generation immigrants regard the cultural identity of the second generation greatly influences the acculturation of second-generation immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination behaviors among Chinese college students (CCS) in the United States are affected by social determinants of health. Using a self‐report questionnaire and a snowball sampling technique, this cross‐sectional study investigated (a) HPV vaccination practices; (b) primary social networking platforms and preferred means of receiving HPV information; and (c) the influence of acculturation on HPV vaccination, HPV information sources, and social networking use among 213 CCS aged 18–26 in the United States. About half (50.7%) had received one to three doses of an HPV vaccine, and 91.7% had received their first dose. The most popular social networking platforms were WeChat (69.5%), Instagram (58.7%), text messaging (55.4%), and Facebook (47.4%). Preferred means of receiving future HPV information included the internet, online social networking, and health professionals. Participants with high Asian identification (AI) were less likely to receive the HPV vaccine than those with high Western identification. Participants with high AI were more likely to use WeChat for their social networking but less likely to use US‐based social media platforms. Acculturation, preferred social networking platforms, and sources and communication of HPV (i.e., health professionals, family members, schoolteachers, friends) influenced participants' HPV vaccination. To promote equity of access to health messages and increase HPV vaccination, future efforts should pay attention to CCS with high AI and incorporate their cultural beliefs and practices. Given that nonprofessionals (e.g., family, friends) were influential factors in HPV vaccination, it is critical to tailor interventions for CCS to the recipients and their social circles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of acculturation on cognition was examined among 142 older Hispanics: cognitively normal [CN; n = 70], Mild Cognitive Impairment, amnestic [aMCI; n = 27], and Dementia [D; n = 45]. Acculturation levels (high vs. low) were determined using the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH). ANCOVAs used a wide variety of neuropsychological tests as independent variables controlling for age and education. Among CN subjects, the highly acculturated group performed better on Logical Memory delayed recall (LM-II) [F(1, 56) = 9.26, p <.001, η p 2 = 0.14], Digit Span Forward [F(1, 56) = 4.37, p <.05, η p 2 = 0.07], Trail Making Test A [F(1, 56) = 7.74, p <.05, η p 2 = 0.12], and Trail Making Test B [F(1, 56) = 4.66, p =.03, η p 2 = 0.08], indicating that high acculturation was associated with a better performance on tests of episodic memory, auditory attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed among CN Hispanics. ANCOVA analyses were not significant among the other groups. In the absence of acculturation scales in clinical practice, caution should be exerted when interpreting neurocognitive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultures of concussion reporting exist outside athletics; however, athlete-only studies dominate the literature. Comparing athletes and similar high-risk populations broadens our understanding of concussion reporting acculturation. We aimed to (1) describe and compare concussion self-report willingness as measured by anticipated concussion reporting (ACR), perceived costs, perceived rewards, brain health knowledge, and correct symptom identification for incoming cadets at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) (n = 1,136; female = 276, 24.43%) and (2) determine whether those variables predict ACR. Univariate analyses were performed to compare intercollegiate status, sex, and parental income for perceived costs and rewards, and brain health knowledge (α = 0.05) and multinomial logistic regressions to determine if those variables predicted ACR. A $40,000 parental increase in income resulted in one additional symptom identified (β = 0.80, p = 0.026). Athletes demonstrated greater brain health knowledge by nearly one symptom correctly identified (β = 0.98, p = 0.002); non-athletes reported significantly greater ACR (β = 5.92; p < 0.001). Our model accounted for 37% of the variance in ACR (χ2 = 393.86, p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.37). Before military acculturation, athletes had less intention to seek medical care for concussion, likely from prior athletic experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States remains the top host of international college students globally. Within the counseling literature, international college students' acculturative experiences and characteristics are often studied through the lens of the medical model. This gap lends itself to opportunities for a paradigm shift in group counseling practice to foster their wellbeing, by building on their existing psychological capabilities such as hope, efficacy, resiliency, and optimism, referred to as Psychological Capital (PsyCap). The purpose of this practice article is to showcase the development, implementation, participants' feedback, pilot evaluation, and implications of an eight-week strength-based support group called the International SuperHERO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines knowledge of and attitudes toward Roe v. Wade among a sample of 779 US Latinx adults. Survey response patterns were examined in relation to generational status and choice of survey language as well as to several demographic variables previously shown to influence abortion attitudes (e.g., age, religiosity, political affiliation). Differences were found in knowledge of Roe v. Wade by generational status and survey language, with those with higher generational statuses and those taking the survey in English exhibiting greater knowledge. Finally, greater knowledge of Roe v. Wade and choosing to take the survey in English predicted more positive attitudes toward Roe v. Wade controlling for other demographic variables; no effect on attitudes of generational status was observed. These findings contribute to our understanding of abortion attitudes among US Latinxs as well as the relationship between political socialization, knowledge, and attitudes toward social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The importance of parental beliefs and practices related to children's school readiness skills is widely documented, but few studies explicitly focus on immigrant families. Further, no known studies have examined immigrant parents' beliefs about what skills children need to be successful in kindergarten. Objectives: The overarching aim of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the school readiness beliefs of parents who are identified as immigrants in the United States. We examined the skills they prioritized as well as parents' reasoning about their prioritization. Methods: Sixty-three immigrant parents from three different countries of origin—China, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador—completed a Q-sort and subsequent interview about their school readiness beliefs as well as a measure of acculturation. Results: Results indicated two school readiness belief profiles. Parents in the first profile primarily emphasized academic skills; parents in the second profile primarily emphasized learning-related skills. Parents' country of origin predicted their profile membership. Six themes emerged to explain parents' school readiness beliefs. Although parents in the two profiles prioritized different skills, parents' reasoning about the importance of select skills showed many similarities. Conclusions: Study findings provide a nuanced view of immigrant parents' school readiness beliefs, which is particularly useful for early childhood educators to consider as they develop culturally responsive family-school partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazilians are a growing immigrant population in the United States and there is a lack of interventions to promote healthful energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs) and prevent obesity among Brazilian preschool-age children. To develop needed interventions, information is required about parents' perceptions of the importance of EBRBs and where they obtain information about these behaviors. To assess Brazilian immigrant parents' perception of the importance of EBRBs and information sources they use to support their preschool-age children's healthful EBRBs. Cross-sectional survey. Fifty-two immigrant parents, most classified as having low acculturation, participated. In total, about 20–50% of parents perceived the six examined EBRBs as being extremely important. Parents reported that pediatricians, nurses, and WIC professionals were their primary sources for information about EBRBs. Increased health education on the importance of EBRBs is needed. Health educators can facilitate linguistic and culturally sensitive communication, education, and provide guidance to parents on how to foster the development and maintenance of their preschool-age children's healthful EBRBs. Bicultural, bilingual health educators can help raise awareness, facilitate communication, provide education and guidance to Brazilian immigrant parents about the importance of children's healthful EBRBs in the prevention of obesity. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate the negative impact of resource needs on child health, practices serving low-income immigrant families have implemented screening programs to connect families to community resources. Little is known about how duration of US residence relates to patterns of resource needs and indicators of acculturation such as community resource knowledge/experience or self-efficacy. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a convenience sample of immigrant families with young children at an urban primary care clinic. These families were seen 5/2018–1/2020 for well child care, screening positive for ≥1 social need using a tool derived from Health Leads. Analysis of 114 families found that newly arrived families with a shorter duration of US residence (≤5 years) were more likely to report immediate material hardships like food insecurity and need for essential child supplies. Newly arrived families were also less likely to have access to technology resources such as a computer or smartphone. Long-term families with a longer duration of US residence (≥15 years) were more likely to report chronic needs like poor housing conditions, but also reported increased community resource knowledge/experience and increased self-efficacy. Primary care pediatric practices should assess immigration contextual factors to identify subgroups such as newly arrived families with young children to target resources (e.g., increase screening frequency) or enhance services (e.g., patient navigators) to relieve resource needs. Highlights: This was a study of immigrant families with young children at a federally qualified health center with a social resource screening program. Newly arrived immigrant families were more likely to report material hardships like food insecurity, essential child supplies, and technology needs (e.g., computer, smart phone). Given society's increased reliance on virtual services, screening tools should incorporate technology resources (e.g., computers, high speed internet). Intervention strategies should identify subgroups such as newly arrived families with young children to target resources (e.g., increase screening frequency) or enhance services (e.g., patient navigators) to relieve resource needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to identify mechanisms by which cultural cognitions were linked to parenting cognitions and practices in acculturating Chinese communities in the United States. In particular, parenting cognitions (sense of investment and parental satisfaction) were examined in relation to Chinese-American mothers' cultural cognitions (Chinese and U.S. cultural orientation and both individualism and collectivism) and their role involvement and time involvement with their children. Parenting cognitions were also tested as potential mediators in the relationships between cultural cognitions and parental involvement. Path analyses demonstrated that stronger Chinese cultural orientation was associated with increased parental sense of investment and both time and role involvement. Their U.S. cultural orientation was negatively associated with parental time and role involvement. Collectivism was associated with increased parental investment and parental satisfaction. In addition, parental sense of investment mediated the association between Chinese cultural orientation and parental role involvement. The results demonstrated specific processes by which acculturation was linked to parenting cognitions and practices. The findings have implications for further conceptualizing complex bicultural identifications and their impact within the acculturating Chinese community, as well as understanding more broadly how specific cultural orientations and values manifest in parenting practices across acculturating communities. Highlights: Chinese immigrant mothers with stronger Chinese cultural orientation showed higher level of parental sense of investment and involvement. U.S. cultural orientation was negatively associated with parental involvement. Collectivism was found to be an important predictor of parental sense of investment and satisfaction. Parental role involvement was linked to Chinese cultural orientation through parental sense of investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the relationship between language and generation among Japanese Americans during World War II by focusing on an example of the rarely studied ethnic press called the Utah Nippoo ("Utah Daily News"). In the difficult period of the war between the United States and Japan, Japanese Americans in Utah were generally successful in dealing with the gap between the first generation's Japanese nationalism and the second generation's American citizenship. The Utah Nippoo honored both a pro-Japan stance and a pro-American stance by allowing editorial freedom for each language section, yet maintaining cohesion and keeping the generations together. Data explicated in this study, which focuses on institutional talk, suggests that the linguistic gap between the Japanese-dominant first generation and the English-dominant second generation does not necessarily lead to generational tension if appropriate measures such as the use of linguistic politeness strategies are considered. This study will contribute to our understanding of the relationship between a relatively understudied language such as Japanese and acculturation among immigrants in the United States, with our focus on linguistic politeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hispanic/Latinos experience a disproportionate burden of obesity. Acculturation to US obesogenic diet and practices may lead to an exacerbation of innate genetic susceptibility. We examined the role of gene–environment interactions to better characterize the sociocultural environmental determinants and their genome-scale interactions, which may contribute to missing heritability of obesity. We utilized polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for body mass index (BMI) to perform analyses of PRS-by-acculturation and other environmental interactors among self-identified Hispanic/Latino adults from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Methods: PRSs were derived using genome-wide association study (GWAS) weights from a publicly available, large meta-analysis of European ancestry samples. Generalized linear models were run using a set of a priori acculturation-related and environmental factors measured at visit 1 (2008–2011) and visit 2 (2014–2016) in an analytic subsample of 8,109 unrelated individuals with genotypic, phenotypic, and complete case data at both visits. We evaluated continuous measures of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio. All models were weighted for complex sampling design, combined, and sex-stratified. Results: Overall, we observed a consistent increase of BMI with greater PRS across both visits. We found the best-fitting model adjusted for top five principal components of ancestry, sex, age, study site, Hispanic/Latino background genetic ancestry group, sociocultural factors and PRS interactions with age at immigration, years since first arrival to the United States (p < 0.0104), and healthy diet (p < 0.0036) and explained 16% of the variation in BMI. For every 1-SD increase in PRS, there was a corresponding 1.10 kg/m2 increase in BMI (p < 0.001). When these results were stratified by sex, we observed that this 1-SD effect of PRS on BMI was greater for women than men (1.45 vs. 0.79 kg/m2, p < 0.001). Discussion: We observe that age at immigration and the adoption of certain dietary patterns may play a significant role in modifying the effect of genetic risk on obesity. Careful consideration of sociocultural and immigration-related factors should be evaluated. The role of nongenetic factors, including the social environment, should not be overlooked when describing the performance of PRS or for promoting population health in understudied populations in genomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]