Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

“Entre Dos Mundos” (Between Two Worlds): Bicultural Skills Training with Latino Immigrant Families

  • Published:
Journal of Primary Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This paper focuses on the acculturation model of second-culture-acquisition for Latino immigrants. Two theoretical frameworks, assimilation and alternation theories, are compared within the acculturation model. Empirical research findings suggest that assimilation is a risk factor for increases in negative health behaviors and mental health problems. Conversely, biculturalism appears to be an emerging protective factor that buffers assimilation stress, enhances socio-cognitive functioning, and increases academic achievement. A review of bicultural skills training interventions shows these programs are effective in decreasing the risk for problematic behavior. Finally, a refined model of bicultural skills training for Latino immigrant families is proposed based on the acculturation research literature and extensive interviews with Latino families in North Carolina.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amaro, H., Whitaker, R., Coffman, G., & Heeren, T. (1990). Acculturation and marijuana and cocaine use: Findings from HHANES 1982–1984. American Journal of Public Health, 80(Suppl.), 54–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arenas, S. (1978). Bilingual/bicultural programs for preschool children. Children Today, 7(4), 2–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bacallao, M. L., & Smokowski, P. R. (2005). Worlds apart: Bicultural identity development in Latino adolescents. Manuscript in preparation.

  • Benet-Martinez, V., Leu, J., Lee, F., & Morris, M. (2002). Negotiating biculturalism: Cultural frame-switching in biculturals with oppositional versus compatible cultural identities. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 33(5), 492–517.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (1980). Acculturation as varieties of adaptation. In A. M. Padilla (Ed.), Acculturation: Theory, models, and some new findings (pp. -). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (1998). Acculturation stress. In P. B. Organista, K. M. Chun, & G. Marin (Eds), Readings in ethnic psychology (pp. 117–122). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (2001). A psychology of immigration. Journal of Social Issues, 57(3), 615–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (2003). Conceptual approaches to acculturation. In K. M. Chun, P. B. Organista, & G. Marin (Eds.), Acculturation: Advances in theory, measurement, and applied research (pp. 17–38). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilides, D. G. (1990). Race, color, ethnicity, and class: Issues of biculturalism in school-based adolescent counseling groups. Social Work with Group, 13(4), 43–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blatner, A. (2005). Psychodrama. In R. J. Corsini & D. Wedding (Eds.), Current psychotherapies (7th ed. pp. 399–408). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnam, M. A., Hough, R. L., Kamo, M., Escobar, J. I., & Telles, T. (1987). Acculturation and lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Mexican Americans in Los Angeles. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 28(1), 89–102.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caetano, R. (1987). Acculturation and drinking patterns among U.S. Hispanics. British Journal of Addiction, 82, 789–799.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, F. G., Coe, K., Gutierres, S., & Saenz, D. (1996). Designing health promotion programs for Latinos. In P. M. Kato & T. Mann (Eds.), Handbook of diversity issues in health psychology (pp. 319–346). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control (2004). Surveillance summaries. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 53(SS-2). Retrieved June 6, 2004, from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/SS/SS5302.pdf.

  • Chun, K. M., Organista, P. B., & Marin, G. (Eds.) (2003). Acculturation: Advances in theory, measurement, and applied research. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coatsworth, J. D., Pantin, H., & Szapocznik, J. (2002). Familias Unidas: A family centered ecodevelopmental intervention to reduce risk for problem behavior among Hispanic adolescents. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 5(2), 113–132.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Costantino, G., Malgady, R. G., & Rogler, L. H. (1986). Cuento therapy: A culturally sensitive modality for Puerto Rican children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(5), 639–645.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, D. (1998). Beyond Black, White, and Hispanic: Race, ethnic origin, and drinking patterns in the United States. Journal of Substance Abuse, 10(4), 321–339.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Anda, D. (1984). Bicultural socialization: Factors affecting the minority experience. Social Work, March-April, 101–107.

  • Dolby, N. (2000). Changing selves: Multicultural education and the challenge of new identities. Teachers College Record, 102(5), 898–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feliciano, C. (2001). The benefits of biculturalism: Exposure to immigrant culture and dropping out of school among Asian and Latino youths. Social Science Quarterly, 82(4), 865–879.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, M. W., & Galinsky, M. J. (1997). Toward a resilience based model of practice. In M. W. Fraser (Ed.), Risk and resilience in childhood: An ecological perspective (pp. 265–276). Washington, DC: NASW Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gil, A. G., & Vega, W. A. (1996). Two different worlds: Acculturation stress and adaptation among Cuban and Nicaraguan families. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 13(3), 435–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gil, A. G., Vega, W. A., & Dimas, J. M. (1994). Acculturative stress and personal adjustment among Hispanic adolescent boys. Journal of Community Psychology, 22(1), 43–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gil, A. G., Wagner, E. F., & Vega, W. A. (2000). Acculturation, familism and alcohol use among Latino adolescent males: Longitudinal relations. Journal of Community Psychology, 28(4), 443–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goel, M., McCarthy, E. P., Phillips, R. S., & Wee, C. C. (2004). Obesity among U.S. immigrant subgroups by duration of residence. Journal of the American Medical Association, 292(23), 2860–2867.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez, M., & Fassinger, R. (1994). An initial model of Latina achievement: Acculturation, biculturalism, and achieving styles. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 41(2), 205–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harritatos, J., & Benet-Martinez, V. (2002). Bicultural identities: The interface of cultural, personality, and socio-cognitive processes. Journal of Research in Personality, 36, 598–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, P., Chen, X., Choy, S. P., Peter, K., Ruddy, S. A., Miller, A. K., et al. (2001). Indicators of school crime and safety: 2001. (NCES No. 2002-113NCJ-190075). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education and Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaFromboise, T., Coleman, H. L., & Gerton, J. (1993). Psychological impact of biculturalism: Evidence and theory. Psychological Bulletin, 114(3), 395–412.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LaFromboise, T. D., & Rowe, W. (1983). Skills training for bicultural competence: Rationale and application. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 30(4), 589–595.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, J. G., Munoz, R., Bernal, G., & Sorensen, J. (1982). Quality of life and psychological well-being in a bicultural Latino community. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 4, 433–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo-Hernandez, J. (1998). How social categorization may inform the study of Hispanic immigration. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 20(1), 39–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malgady, R. G., Rogler, L. H., & Costantino, G. (1990). Culturally sensitive psychotherapy for Puerto Rican children and adolescents: A program of treatment outcome research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58(6), 704–712.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markides, K., Krause, N., & Mendes De Leon, C. F. (1988). Acculturation and alcohol consumption among Mexican Americans: A three-generation study. American Journal of Public Health, 78, 1178–1181.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marks, G., Garcia, M., & Solts, J. M. (1990). Health risk behaviors of Hispanics in the United States: Findings from the HHANES 1982–1984. American Journal of Public Health, 80(Suppl.), 20–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marsiglia, F., Cross, S., & Mitchell-Enos, V. (1998). Culturally grounded group work with adolescent American Indian students. Social Work with Groups, 21(1–2), 89–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFarlane, W. R. (2002). Multifamily groups in the treatment of severe psychiatric disorders. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miranda, A., Estrada, D., & Firpo-Jimenez (2000). Differences in family cohesion, adaptability, and environment among Latino families in dissimilar stages of acculturation. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 8(4), 341–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miranda, A., & Umhoefer, D. (1998). Depression and social interest differences between Latinos in dissimilar acculturation stages. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 20(2), 159–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullender, A. (1990). The Ebony project: Bicultural group work with transracial foster parents. Social Work with Groups, 13(4), 23–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, J. A. (1986). Alcohol consumption and psychological distress among U.S. Anglos, Hispanics and Blacks. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 21(1), 111–119.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Organista, P. B., Organista, K. C., & Kurasaki, K. (2003). The relationship between acculturation and ethnic minority mental health. In K. M. Chun, P. B. Organista, & G. Marin (Eds.), Acculturation: Advances in theory, measurement, and applied research (pp. 139–162). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantin, H., Coatsworth, J. D., Feaster, D. I., Newman, F. L. Briones, E., Prado, G., et al. (2001). Familias Unidas: The efficacy of an intervention to increase parental investment in Hispanic immigrant families. Manuscript submitted for publication.

  • Peeks, A. L. (1999). Conducting a social skills group with Latina adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Group Therapy, 9(3), 139–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. G. (1990). Immigrant America: A portrait. Berkley, CA: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez, R. R., & de la Cruz, G. P. (2002). The Hispanic population in the United States: March 2002. Retrieved June 30, 2005, from http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/p20-545.pdf.

  • Redfield, R., Linton, R., & Herskovits, M. (1936). Memorandum for the study of acculturation. American Anthropologist, 38, 149–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogler, L. H., Cortes, R. S., & Malgady, R. G. (1991). Acculturation and mental health status among Hispanics. American Psychologist, 46, 585–597.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rumberger, R. W., & Larson, K. A. (1998). Towards explaining differences in educational achievement among Mexican American language minority students. Sociology of Education, 71, 68–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Flores, H. (2003). Teen pregnancy prevention for Latino youth. Paper presented at North Carolina Teen Pregnancy Prevention Conference, Chapel Hill, NC.

  • Schinke, S. P., Orlandi, M. A., Botvin, G. J., Gilchrist, L. D., Trimble, J. E., & Locklear, V. S. (1988). Preventing substance abuse among American Indian adolescents: A bicultural competence skills approach. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 35(1), 87–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smokowski, P. R., Chapman, M. V., & Bacallao, M. L. (2005). Acculturation risk and protective factors: Mediating and moderating processes in the development of mental health problems in Latino adolescents. Manuscript submitted for publication.

  • Stanton-Salazar, R. D., & Dornbusch, S. M. (1995). Social capital and the reproduction of inequality: Information networks among Mexican-origin high school students. Sociology of Education, 68, 116–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suarez-Orozco, C., & Suarez-Orozco, M. (2001). Children of immigrants. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szapocznik, J., & Kurtines, W. (1980). Acculturation, biculturalism and adjustment among Cuban Americans. In A. Padilla (Ed.), Acculturation: Theory, models, and some new findings (pp. 139–159). Boulder, CO: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szapocznik, J., Santisteban, D., Kurtines, W., Perez-Vidal, A., & Hervis, O. (1984). Bicultural Effectiveness Training: A treatment intervention for enhancing intercultural adjustment in Cuban American families. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 6(4), 317–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szapocznik, J., Santisteban, D., Kurtines, W., Perez-Vidal, A., & Hervis, O. (1986). Bicultural Effectiveness Training (BET): An experimental test of an intervention modality for families experiencing intergenerational/intercultural conflict. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 8(4), 303–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szapocznik, J., Santisteban, D., Rio, A., Perez-Vidal, A., Santisteban, D., & Kurtines, W. M. (1989). Family Effectiveness Training: An intervention to prevent drug abuse and problem behaviors in Hispanic adolescents. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 11(1), 4–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, E. J., & Rothman, J. (1994). An integrative perspective on intervention research. In J. Rothman & E. J. Thomas (Eds.), Intervention research: Design and development for human service (pp. 3–24). New York: Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trimble, J. E. (2003). Introduction: Social change and acculturation. In K. M. Chun, P. B. Organista, & G. Marin (Eds.), Acculturation: Advances in theory, measurement, and applied research (pp. -). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trueba, H. T. (2002). Multiple ethnic, racial, and cultural identities in action: From marginality to a new cultural capital in modern society. Journal of Latinos and Education, 1(1), 7–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Census Bureau (2001a). United States Census Bureau interactive census database Retrieved June 30, 2005, from http://www.census.gov.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (2001b). The Hispanic population in the United States. Retrieved June 30, 2005, from http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/NEWhispML1.html.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (2003a). Hispanic population reaches all time high of 38.8 million, new Census Bureau estimates show. Retrieved June 30, 2005, from http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/hispanic_origin_population/index.html.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (2003b). The Hispanic population in the United States: March 2002. Retrieved June 30, 2005, from http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hispanic/ho02.html.

  • Vega, W. A., Alderete, E., Kolody, B., & Aguilar-Gaxiola, S. (2000). Adulthood sequela of adolescent heavy drinking among Mexican Americans. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 22, 254–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vega, W. A., & Gil, A. G. (1998). Drug use and ethnicity in early adolescence. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vega, W., Kolody, B., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Alderete, E., Catalano, R., & Caraveo-Anduaga, J. (1998). Lifetime prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders among urban and rural Mexican Americans in California. Archives of General Psychiatry, 55(9), 771–778.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamada, A. M., & Singelis, T. M. (1999). Biculturalism and self-construal. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 23(5), 697–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ying, Y. W. (1999). Strengthening intergenerational/intercultural ties in migrant families: A new intervention for parents. Journal of Community Psychology, 27(1), 89–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by grant number R49/CCR421722-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Injury Prevention Center. Martica L. Bacallao, M.S.S.W., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Paul R. Smokowski, Ph.D., is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA

    Martica L. Bacallao

  2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA

    Paul R. Smokowski

  3. UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Social Work, CB # 3550, 301 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3550, USA

    Paul R. Smokowski

Authors
  1. Martica L. Bacallao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul R. Smokowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul R. Smokowski.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bacallao, M.L., Smokowski, P.R. “Entre Dos Mundos” (Between Two Worlds): Bicultural Skills Training with Latino Immigrant Families. J Primary Prevent 26, 485–509 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-005-0008-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-005-0008-6

KEY WORDS:

Search

Navigation