A Communication-Based Model of Acculturation Experiences and Mental Health of Immigrants: Stories From Indian Immigrants

• In Event: Top Papers in Intercultural Communication

Abstract

This study employs a multidimensional approach to examine immigrants’ acculturation processes and consequent mental health through a communication lens. Influencing communication factors, acculturation stress factors, and coping strategies were explored at individual (immigrants’ intercultural communication competence and anxiety and uncertainty management) and organizational (organization-public relationships) levels. Qualitative interview data from 24 professionally working Indian immigrants indicate that most immigrants experienced acculturation stresses at various levels but developed different strategies to cope with them. Many achieved behavioral and value acculturation, but not necessarily identification acculturation. Their mental health is related to all three domains of acculturation: Behavior and value acculturation tends to contribute positively, yet lack of identification acculturation tends to contribute negatively, to mental health. Theoretical, practical, and policy implications are discussed.

Authors

• Lan Ni, U of Houston

• Qi Wang, Villanova University

• Anushree Gogate, U of Houston