The Importance Of Addressing Acculturative Stress In Marital Therapy With Hispanic American Women

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between acculturative stress and marital distress among Hispanic American women and to explore the potential mediating roles of variables believed to be important to marital functioning among ethnic minorities and immigrants (e.g., acculturation, ethnic identity, social support, etc.). Based on data from 103 Hispanic American married women, pressure to acculturate toward the dominant culture of the U.S. was found to significantly correlate with the amount of distress the women reported in their marital relationships. Two variables were found to partially mediate the correlation. Perceived social support and recent stressful life events attenuated the effect acculturative stress had on marital distress. The importance for mental health professionals to address acculturative stress with Hispanic women or couples in marital therapy, and other clinical implications of the findings, are discussed