The effect of acculturation, immigration and differentiation of self on marital distress among first generation Asian Indian couples in the United States

Malavi Madhusudan, Purdue University

Abstract

Past research has linked factors that are unique to Asian Indian culture such as mate selection patterns, collectivistic thinking on immigration, acculturation, and marital satisfaction. Multiple studies have also focused on the differences in expectations between first generation immigrants and their families. However, there has been a lack of research studying acculturative stress and marital distress with this population. Considering the growing Asian Indian immigrant community in the United States, it becomes necessary to understand the impact of the different acculturative influences on marital functioning, especially because of its unique cultural heritage. This study explored marital distress in a sample of 268 married first generation Asian Indians living in the United States. The Structural Equation Model revealed that quality of life and perceived social support were significant predictors of acculturative stress and marital distress in Asian Indians. With regard to first generation Asian Indian immigrant couples, the results showed that greater quality of life lead to decreased acculturative stress and decreased marital distress, while greater social support was found to increase acculturative stress and decrease marital distress. In addition, age at immigration, length of residency and differentiation of self was found to have no significant impact on acculturative stress and marital distress.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Nalbone, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Behavioral psychology|Counseling Psychology|Individual & family studies

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