Predictive factors of acculturation attitudes and social support among Asian immigrants in the USA

Choi J, Thomas M. Predictive factors of acculturation attitudes and social support among Asian immigrants in the USAInt J Soc Welfare 2009: 18: 76-84 (C) 2008 The Author(s), Journal compilation (C) 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. This study examines acculturation attitude and its relation to social support among Asian immigrants. The data were collected from 242 Korean, Indian and Filipino immigrants in the USA using the Acculturation Attitude Scale and the Social Support Index. Findings showed that Koreans had a less positive attitude toward acculturation than did Indian and Filipino participants. Acculturation attitude was positively correlated with educational level and English fluency. This study also found a negative correlation between acculturation attitude and social support. Social support from friends and English fluency were identified as significant predictor variables in determining the level of acculturation attitude. These findings not only contribute to social work education and practice, but also increase cultural sensitivity and awareness in working with these populations.