Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Acculturation and Physical Activity Among South Asian Mother-Daughter Dyads Residing in the United States:
Milkie Vu1,2,3, Soyang Kwon4, Nicola Lancki1
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Background:
South Asian immigrant women and girls have low physical activity (PA). Little is known about the influence of salient cultural determinants such as acculturation on PA. This knowledge can inform strategies to improve PA in this population.
Methods:
We analyzed baseline data from the South Asians Active Together (SAATH) randomized controlled trial which enrolled mother-daughter dyads. US acculturation and Asian acculturation were measured for mothers and daughters separately using the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (higher scores indicate higher acculturation). PA-related variables include barriers, self-efficacy, self-reported transportation, leisure-time moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and accelerometer-measured MVPA (in minutes/week). Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, we tested dyadic associations between mothers' and daughters' US and Asian acculturation and PA variables.
Results:
The SAATH trial included 126 mother-daughter dyads. In Actor-Partner Interdependence Model analyses, for daughters, US acculturation was negatively associated with barriers (β = -0.20, SE = 0.09, P = .022), and higher Asian acculturation was associated with higher self-efficacy (β = 0.18, SE = 0.06, P = .005). For mothers, US acculturation was negatively associated with barriers (β = -0.20, SE = 0.06, P = .001) and positively associated with self-efficacy (β = 0.21, SE = 0.08, P = .013). For mothers, Asian acculturation was negatively associated with barriers (β = -0.24, SE = 0.10, P = .020) and positively associated with self-efficacy (β = 0.36, SE = 0.14, P = .010) and accelerometer-measured MVPA (β = 26.71, SE = 13.0, P = .040). Mothers' Asian acculturation was also positively associated with daughters' self-efficacy (β = 0.16, SE = 0.08, P = .044).
Conclusions:
Observed positive associations of both US and Asian acculturation with several PA-related variables underscore the importance of capturing both types of acculturation. Mothers' Asian acculturation was associated with daughters' PA self-efficacy. Maintaining strong ties to one's heritage may provide benefits for PA of an individual as well as their family members.
Related Concept Videos
Relationship Growth
Relationship Formation
Close Relationships and Culture
Impact of Social Context on Individuals
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development