Acculturation

Stressors that refugee children and families experience as they try to navigate between their new culture and their culture of origin:

Conflicts between children and parents over new and old cultural values
Conflicts with peers related to cultural misunderstandings
The necessity to translate for family members who are not fluent in English
Problems trying to fit in at school
Struggle to form an integrated identity including elements of their new culture and their culture of origin

Case Example

Haroon’s Experience of Acculturation Stress

In America, Haroon was left to his own devices most of the day because his only sibling, with whom he was staying worked long hours. Haroon learned English very fast and starting hanging out with other kids in the neighborhoods. As he got older, Haroon began to get into fights with his sister and brother-in-law around issues about what is appropriate behavior for African children. He was accused of becoming too Americanized and losing his culture. His sister wanted him to go to religious school on Saturdays, to which Haroon refused. This further created a divide between them. These conflicts lead Haroon to stay away from the house more and more and seek out his friends. His friends introduced him to drugs and alcohol. The sister found herself helpless due to language barriers and lack of knowledge of the American system. She was unable to find help for him. See full Case Example

Provider Tips

Provide culturally and linguistically sensitive services
Help create a dialogue between parents and children
Respect existing roles within families (e.g., even if children speak better English than a parent do not use them as interpreters, recognize the role of the parent)
Refer or develop acculturation classes for families new to the country

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Acculturation Assessment Questions

Many refugee children and families cope well with their experiences of trauma and stress; others may experience stressors or symptoms that begin to interfere with their daily functioning. Here are some examples of ways in which you can ask families about acculturation related stressors.

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Acculturation Risk Assessment

Level of Risk
Low	Child and Parents may experience: Occasional conflict or acculturation related stress Some internal conflict around cultural and language differences between the culture of origin and the culture of the resettlement country Overall family is functioning well and communicating and acculturation stressors do not interfere with the child’s functioning at home school or in social situations.
Moderate	Child and family report presence of some acculturation stressors like: Parents feeling that child is “too American” Frequent verbal conflicts Lack of communication Demonstration of cognitive disabilities or concerns that may hinder language learning Child’s difficulty negotiating new culture and culture of origin. These stressors seem to interfere with the child’s functioning at home school, or in social relationships.
High	Child and family report high level of acculturation stressors including risky behaviors such as: Child or parents/guardians using physical force during conflicts Child refusing to stay with parents Child taking on too many responsibilities (i.e. translator, caretaker roles, wage earner, etc.). Stressors are severely interfering with child’s functioning at home, school, ability to learn language, or in social situations. Child may be unable to attend school or develop appropriate social relationships.

Based on above Acculturation Risk Assessment Table,
how do you rate Individual:

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