Acculturative stress (AS) is a negative consequence of acculturation and occurs when acculturation is problematic for the individual. There is... Show moreAcculturative stress (AS) is a negative consequence of acculturation and occurs when acculturation is problematic for the individual. There is a substantial variation in AS phenomena across different cultural/ethnic groups, across individual variables (e.g., sex, age, education, attitude, cognitive style), and across social variables (e.g., contact, social support, status). There does not seem to be one specific way in which AS affects all groups or individuals. Elevated levels of AS are associated with multiple manifest difficulties, including family dysfunction, geographical separation from family, low-income levels, and non-positive expectations for the future. AS has been associated with outcomes such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and feelings of isolation and alienation. Using a network analysis approach, this exploratory study examined the structure of the construct of AS as represented in the Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental (SAFE) AS Scale, a measure used to assess the AS construct across four contexts. Results of the network analysis of AS aspects suggest that the AS construct is best understood as a latent variable rather than as a network of interacting AS aspects, and that distress is related to particular aspects of AS. The present study findings suggest a particular model of relations between latent AS, its manifest aspects, and clinical outcomes. Further research can help to better understand the relationship between individual AS aspects (i.e., treatment targets) and treatment goals of impacting AS-related outcomes (e.g., distress), as well as the mechanisms of change. Show less
