A Longitudinal Study of Social Capital and Acculturation-Related Stress Among Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida

Abstract

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 (<i>N</i> = 527), first 12 months in the United States, acculturative stress was negatively related to support from friends (<i>p</i> < .044) and positively related to support from parents (<i>p</i> < .023). At first follow-up (<i>n</i> = 415), 24 months in the United States, emotional/informational support was negatively associated with acculturation-related stress (<i>p</i> < .028). In the second follow-up (<i>n</i> = 478), 36 months in the United States, support from children was negatively associated with acculturation-related stress (<i>p</i> < .016). Limited English proficiency was found to be negatively associated with acculturation stress at all three points (<i>p</i> < .001, <i>p</i> < .025, and <i>p</i> < .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.