Acculturative stress in Filipino migrants with functional English: implications for health promotion

Abstract

The lack of host language proficiency is an important source of acculturative stress among new immigrants and is known to negatively impact on both physical and mental health. However, the acculturative stress and stressors of migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds with functional English language skills in Australia are less well-explored. Using the Filipino migrants as examplar, this paper reviews acculturative stress in three sub-population groups in this community: family migrants, Filipino spouses of Australian men and skilled, professional migrants. Despite English language ability, socioeconomic difficulties upon migration are a common source of acculturative stress. Intergenerational and cultural gaps within the family are conflict points that may cause depression and suicidal ideation. Changes in lifestyle and diet, incongruence of Western health practices with cultural beliefs may unfavourably affect health. Skilled and professional migrants experience stress due to underemployment, non-utilisation or non-recognition of qualifications obtained overseas. The health issues of CALD communities with functional English language skills are often overlooked in comparison with migrants lacking host population language skills. Taking sociocultural issues into consideration is pivotal when designing health promotion initiatives to meet the needs of Australian migrants with functional English language skills.

Keywords:

• acculturative stress
• acculturation
• migrants
• Filipino
• health
• English language