The psychometric properties of the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Marriage-Based Immigrant Women in Taiwan

Introduction Marriage-based immigrant women are increasing around the world. Although bi-dimensional acculturation is important for immigrant women’s health, the existing scales have mainly been developed for immigrant women in Western countries and hence some items may not be suitable for Asian contexts. Thus, we developed and evaluated the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Marriage-Based Immigrant Women (BAS-MBIW) in Taiwan. Methods The BAS-MBIW was developed based on a literature review and clinical observations. Bi-dimensional acculturation involves “adaptation to host culture (acculturation)” and “maintenance of heritage culture (enculturation).” The initial scale included two 24-item subscales. The validation samples were 310 marriage-based immigrant women who were pregnant for at least twelve weeks in Taiwan. The BAS-MBIW was assessed and modified by experts. Data analyses included factor analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results Expert reviews and factor analysis indicated that the scale had acceptable content and construct validity. The validated scale includes two 19-item subscales, encompassing six domains: language, media, food preference, cultural heritage, social interaction, and shopping and merchandise preference, with good internal consistencies (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient is 0.88 for acculturation and 0.83 for enculturation). Acculturation was positively related to local language ability and duration of immigration but negatively related to age at immigration, stress, and depression; whereas enculturation was positively related to age at immigration, stress, and depression but negatively related to duration of immigration, indicating convergent validity. Conclusions The BAS-MBIW offers reliable and valid assessments of pregnant immigrant women’s level of acculturation and enculturation in Taiwan. The BAS-MBIW could be used to assess bi-dimensional acculturation among marriage-based immigrant women.

Racialized immigrant women's health status in Canada

Migration benefits both immigrants and the receiving countries. While migrants seek a better life and peace in developed countries, these countries also seek to tap into the human capital of the migrants. Canada, a country which is ranked by [the] United Nations as one of the best countries to live in the world seems to have become the country of choice for immigrants, women inclusive. In order to reap the benefits of migration, good health is therefore important to both migrant and the receiving country. For this purpose, Canada uses a system of medical screening to select healthy immigrants who arrived healthy in Canada but, with passage of time some experience decline in their health. This major research paper therefore examines the decline in the health status of the racialized immigrant women after their arrival in Canada.

Racialized immigrant women's health status in Canada

Migration benefits both immigrants and the receiving countries. While migrants seek a better life and peace in developed countries, these countries also seek to tap into the human capital of the migrants. Canada, a country which is ranked by [the] United Nations as one of the best countries to live in the world seems to have become the country of choice for immigrants, women inclusive. In order to reap the benefits of migration, good health is therefore important to both migrant and the receiving country. For this purpose, Canada uses a system of medical screening to select healthy immigrants who arrived healthy in Canada but, with passage of time some experience decline in their health. This major research paper therefore examines the decline in the health status of the racialized immigrant women after their arrival in Canada.

Perceived ethnic and language-based discrimination and Latina immigrant women’s health

Perceiving ethnic discrimination can have aversive consequences for health. However, little is known about whether perceiving language-based (how one speaks a second language) discrimination poses the same risks. This study examined whether perceptions of language-based and ethnic discrimination are associated with mental and physical health. Among 132 Mexican and Dominican immigrant women, perceiving ethnic and language-based discrimination each predicted psychological distress and poorer physical health. When examined together, only ethnic discrimination remained a significant predictor. These results emphasize the importance of understanding how perceived ethnic and language-based discrimination play an integral role in the health of Latina immigrant women.