Conference presentation
The influence of acculturative stress on psychological functioning in a Bhutanese refugee community
USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
Abstract
Acculturative stress is the stress experienced as a direct result of the acculturation process and can stem from incongruent cultural values and practices, language difficulties and discrimination. Acculturative stressors impede adjustment and well-being, have significant negative impacts on psychological functioning, particularly depression and anxiety, and are antecedents to poor mental health in migrants. Models of acculturative stress suggest that the type of coping strategies used, and perceptions of social support are important moderating factors for successfully negotiating the acculturation process and maintaining psychological well-being. This study uses a cross-sectional design to explore the relationship between higher acculturative stress and poorer psychological functioning (higher levels of depression and anxiety) and the extent to which positive coping strategies and perceived social support moderate this relationship. Acculturative stress will be measured through the Multidimensional Acculturative Stress Scale (Jibeen & Khalid, 2010) to assess the fi ve domains of discrimination/ marginalization, threat to ethnic identity, lack of opportunities of occupational and financial mobility, homesickness, and language-barrier. Psychological wellbeing, specifi cally depression and anxiety, will be assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995); coping strategies will be measured using Carver's (1997) Brief-COPE; and perceived social support will be assessed through the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet, Dhalem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988). The expected sample size is 130 participants, gained from individuals within the Cairns Bhutanese community. There is currently an absence of research exploring the mental health of Bhutanese refugees in Australia, and an additional aim of the present study is to develop a baseline profile of this population, as well as, providing an understanding of vulnerabilities in relation to mental health issues and outcomes. It is anticipated that this research will expand the limited body of knowledge surrounding Bhutanese refugee mental health following resettlement in Australia and to provide baseline data specifically for the Bhutanese refugee community now numbering over 5,000 individuals in Australia and over 100,000 individuals in third party countries.
Details
- Title
- The influence of acculturative stress on psychological functioning in a Bhutanese refugee community
- Authors
- Mia Lumley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2013
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448819002621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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