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Acculturation, social connectedness, and subjective well-being
Eunju Yoon1, Richard M Lee, Michael Goh
1Department of Counseling, Special Education, and Rehabilitation, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740, USA. eyoon@csufresno.edu
Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology
|July 16, 2008
Summary
Social connectedness in ethnic communities fully mediated the relationship between enculturation and subjective well-being (SWB) for Korean immigrants. Mainstream social ties partially mediated acculturation
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Immigration Studies
Background:
- Acculturation and enculturation are key processes for immigrants.
- Social connectedness influences psychological adjustment.
- Subjective well-being (SWB) is a critical outcome for immigrant populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating roles of social connectedness in mainstream society and ethnic communities.
- To examine the relationship between acculturation, enculturation, and SWB among Korean immigrants.
- To understand the pathways influencing immigrant well-being.
Main Methods:
- Path analysis was used to examine mediation models.
- Survey data were collected from 188 Korean immigrants in the Midwest.
- Acculturation, enculturation, social connectedness, and SWB were measured.
Main Results:
- Social connectedness in the ethnic community fully mediated the link between enculturation and SWB.
- Social connectedness in mainstream society partially mediated the acculturation-SWB relationship, though not significantly.
- Acculturation, ethnic social connectedness, and mainstream social connectedness explained 49% of the variance in SWB.
Conclusions:
- Enculturation's positive impact on SWB is channeled through ethnic social connectedness.
- Mainstream social integration may also support SWB, but the effect requires further investigation.
- Findings highlight the distinct and combined importance of both ethnic and mainstream social ties for immigrant well-being.
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