A Longitudinal Study Of Social Capital And Acculturation-Related Stress Among Recent Latino Immigrants In South Florida

This study uses social capital to assess the effects of social support on acculturation-related stress among recently immigrated Hispanics in South Florida before and after immigration. At baseline (N = 527), first 12 months in the United States, acculturative stress was negatively related to support from friends (p \u3c .044) and positively related to support from parents (p \u3c .023). At first follow-up (n = 415), 24 months in the United States, emotional/informational support was negatively associated with acculturation-related stress (p \u3c .028). In the second follow-up (n = 478), 36 months in the United States, support from children was negatively associated with acculturation-related stress (p \u3c .016). Limited English proficiency was found to be negatively associated with acculturation stress at all three points (p \u3c .001, p \u3c .025, and p \u3c .001, respectively). Implications of this study can be used in the design of culturally appropriate and family-oriented interventions for recent immigrants to ease the acculturation process. © The Author(s) 2013