The role of social support on acculturation stress and allostatic load among first- and second-generation immigrant college students

This study examined the relationship between acculturation stress and allostatic load, and the effect of social support on this relationship among first- and second-generation immigrant college students. Rationale: Research suggests acculturation stress may be a contributing factor to chronic health problems such as obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies have explored the effects of general stress on mental and physical health, but less is known about the cumulative effect of acculturative stress on the body’s physiologic processes, referred to as allostatic load. Previous studies have indicated that factors such as cumulative exposure to chronic stress, age of arrival, and time living in the United States all contribute to higher levels of allostatic load in new immigrants. There is strong evidence of the stress-buffering effects of social support specifically regarding acculturative stress. However, to date little is known about the effects of social support on acculturative stress and allostatic load. Methods: A sample of 73 first- and second-generation immigrant undergraduate college students were recruited from Saint Peter’s University, an ethnically diverse college in Jersey City. Independent variables were measures of acculturative stress, level of acculturation, perceived social support, and perceived general stress. Blood biomarkers were collected and analyzed to calculate a composite score index as a measure of allostatic load as the dependent variable. Results: Acculturation stress was lower among individuals who indicated their level of acculturation as being either assimilation or integration. Although the results of the regression with acculturative stress as the predictor of total allostatic load was not significant, acculturative stress significantly predicted systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Friends’ social support and acculturative stress did significantly predict allostatic load, with higher levels of social support decreasing allostatic load. Conclusions: There is increasing evidence that immigrant students who are marginalized may experience higher levels of acculturative stress compared to those who are more integrated. The results of this study add to previous findings that higher social support is associated with lower allostatic load. Future research using longitudinal designs is necessary to examine health behaviors relating to immigration and their influence on allostatic load.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Lisa Garsma