Effect of acculturation on Chicano and Mexicano self-disclosure

Includes bibliographical references (pages 64-65)Over two hundred university and community college students were invited to participate in a study that dealt with Mexican values and self-disclosure. From the invited sample, seventy-nine Mexicano and Chicano subjects were randomly chosen and processed according to gender, age, and nationality.\ud The purpose of the study was to find out which of these groups was more disclosing with various persons, and, to see if self-disclosure correlated with acculturation.\ud A socio-historical view of the problem was presented, as well as a review of the literature, the instruments, the results, conclusions and recommendations.\ud Two scales were used, one entitled ???Acculturation Scale,??? which dealt with Mexican values, and one entitled ???Scale of Comfortableness in Talking to Others,??? which dealt with self-disclosure. The self-disclosure scale measures self-disclosure with the following people; friend, compadre or relative, priest or minister, parents and psychologist or counselor.\ud The findings showed that there was no mean difference between Chicanos and Mexicanos on an acculturation scale of Mexican values--, thus stating that both Mexicanos and Chicanos agreed with various Mexican values. Also, due to this finding, there was no significant correlation between acculturation, and self-disclosure. The second null hypothesis, however, was strongly rejected: --There is no mean difference between Chicanos and Mexicanos on a self-disclosure scale--.\ud Results show that Chicanos (men and women) are significantly more willing to self-disclose than Mexicanos (men and women). Both groups are less willing to self-disclose with a psychologist or counselor and a priest or minister, than with parents friend or compadre or relative, however, Chicano scores were significantly higher than Mexicano scores. There was also a similar trend in self-disclosure with friend, parents and compadre or relative, both groups are more willing to self-disclose with parents and a friend. Here again, Chicanos were found to be more willing to self-disclose.\ud Conclusions focus on cultural barriers that interfere with the therapuetic process and self-disclosure. Also, suggestions were given in regards to the counseling approach when dealing with Mexicanos and Chicanos as counselees