Work

An exploration of heterogeneity in cultural orientation & cultural stressors in 2nd generation immigrant Asian American emerging adults

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Asian American emerging adults who are 2 nd generation immigrants (AA 2GI EAs) are a large and heterogeneous population and are understudied when it comes to cultural affiliation and cultural stressors. Acculturation, acculturative stress, enculturation, and enculturative stress are intertwined concepts, and can be risk or protective factors for further mental health concerns. In addition, emerging adults in the U.S. are at risk for stress and psychopathology. As such, AA 2GI EA’s cultural orientation and stress are at an intersection of culture and development. For AA 2GI EA who are Gen Z in particular, little is known about the effects of having one versus two 1 st generation immigrant parents. The goal of the present study was to parse out cultural orientation and stress levels for AA 2GI EAs, overall and by cultural subgroup and number of immigrant parents. Survey data were collected across the U.S. to assess cultural orientation (acculturation, enculturation, affiliation with other Asian groups in America), cultural stress variables (past month acculturative stress, enculturative stress, bicultural stress) and demographic variables. Analyses were based on 202 participants who were assessed as an overall sample, as well as by cultural group (Eastern, Southeastern, or Southern Asian) and by interaction of having one or two immigrant parents. Findings revealed that among all AA 2GI EAs, levels of acculturation and enculturation were relatively high, whilst cultural stress levels of all kinds were relatively low. We found subgroup differences between Eastern and Southeastern AA 2GI EAs on acculturative stress for those with two 1 st generation immigrant parents, such that Southeastern AA 2GI EAs evidenced relatively higher acculturative stress. No other group differences were found. These findings suggest this cohort of Generation Z, AA 2GI EAs are relatively highly acculturated and enculturated, while their general cultural stress levels of varying kinds are lower, relatively. Southeastern AA 2GI EAs with two immigrant parents may be at a higher acculturative stress level when compared to Eastern AA 2GI EAs with two immigrant parents. Given ongoing cultural and sociopolitical changes for different immigrant groups, we suggest there is a need for a nuanced, layered approach to cultural variation, and further research is needed to investigate mechanisms of these differences.

Source: BMC Public Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-27838-8

Authors: Robbert J. Langwerden, Naiya M. Roe, Dina L. Anselmi

Institutions: Trinity College, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Language: English

Topic: Racial and Ethnic Identity Research

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290