The aim of this study was to investigate the variables that may predict acculturative stress in a nationally representative sample of Asian immigrants and Asian Americans. The sample consisted of 2095 Asian Americans.  1271 of the participants were first-generation immigrants who were 18 years and older when they came to the US.  The rest of the sample was born in the US to first-generation immigrant parents. The sample consisted of several different Asian cultures, including Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese.

The researchers carried out semi-structured interviews.  The interviewers had cultural and linguistic backgrounds similar to those of the sample population. Interviews were conducted either over the Internet or face-to-face.  A randomly selected sample of participants was contacted to validate the data taken from their interviews.

The interviews measured the participants’ level of acculturative stress.  They also measured the impact of language proficiency, language preference, discrimination, social networks, family cohesion, and socioeconomic status on acculturative stress.

In 1433 of the 2095 interviews, participants were found to have acculturative stress according to their acculturative stress score – that is, 70% of the sample.

The study drew the following conclusions.

1. A bilingual language preference contributed to lower acculturative stress. Asians who are able to use both languages equally with their friends are able to build up networks of support within and outside their community. Stress may arise when Asian Americans do not know the native language well enough to discuss sensitive issues with family members at home or in the native country who may have limited or no abilities in English
2. Although bilingualism is a predictor of low acculturative stress, the preference for speaking English only is a predictor of high acculturative stress.
3. Negative treatment – including prejudice, xenophobia, harassment, and threats - significantly contributed to higher acculturative stress.
4. Sharing similar values and beliefs as a family significantly contributed to lowering acculturative stress
5. Acculturative stress was significantly lower among those who were very satisfied with their economic opportunities in the US and also among immigrants who, if they would have to make the decision again, would still move to the United States.