Acculturation and Self-Care Behaviours Among First-Generation Chinese Immigrants With Cardiovascular Disease: A
Ling Zeng1, Lin Perry1, Xiaoyue Xu2
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Journal of Clinical Nursing
|December 5, 2025
Summary
Acculturation impacts cardiovascular disease (CVD) self-care in Chinese immigrants. Lower acculturation and stronger Traditional Chinese Medicine beliefs were linked to better CVD self-care behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Immigrant health
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Limited understanding of acculturation's effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) self-care among immigrants.
- Chinese immigrants represent a significant population group with unique acculturation experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine acculturation levels among Chinese immigrants in Australia.
- To investigate the association between acculturation and CVD self-care behaviors in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing multiple acculturation indices and the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory.
- Data collected from Chinese immigrants with CVD through community centers, social media, and cardiac clinics.
- Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were performed, adhering to STROBE guidelines.
Main Results:
- 260 Chinese immigrants with CVD participated; 47.7% female, mean age 71.8 years.
- Low acculturation (Suinn Lew scale) but high self-efficacy in health management was reported.
- Lower acculturation and stronger Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) beliefs correlated with better CVD self-care behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Acculturation significantly explains variance in CVD self-care behaviors among Chinese Australian immigrants.
- Nurses can identify at-risk patients through comprehensive acculturation assessment.
- Culturally specific interventions are crucial for improving CVD self-care in diverse populations.
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