Acculturation and spirituality

Abstract

Spirituality is understood to be a protective factor for mental health, and is also understood to be highly present in immigrants from the developing world. Acculturation to the host culture, on the other hand, would imply lowered levels of spirituality as the immigrant adopts the habits and customs of the host culture. Conceptually, it is unclear how spirituality and acculturation interact in relation to mental health. The notions of acculturation and acculturative stress as well as the relationship between migration and mental health are elucidated in order to shed light on the complex relationship between spirituality and acculturation, which is analyzed in the context of the acculturative stress process. It will be suggested that spirituality comprises an important coping strategy that may be enacted prior to or as a response to mental distress, thus functioning differentially as a protective factor versus coping response. Further, research reviewed demonstrates that the social context of the immigrant group in question has an effect on how spirituality and acculturation impact mental health. It is concluded that the relationship between spirituality and acculturation is complex and multifactorial.