Pathways between acculturation and health behaviors among residents of low-income housing: the mediating role of social and contextual factors.

ABSTRACT: Acculturation may influence health behaviors, yet mechanisms underlying its effect are not well understood. In this study, we describe relationships between acculturation and health behaviors among low-income housing residents, and examine whether these relationships are mediated by social and contextual factors. Residents of 20 low-income housing sites in the Boston metropolitan area completed surveys that assessed acculturative characteristics, social/contextual factors, and health behaviors. A composite acculturation scale was developed using latent class analysis, resulting in four distinct acculturative groups. Path analysis was used to examine interrelationships between acculturation, health behaviors, and social/contextual factors, specifically self-reported social ties, social supp

SUBMITTER: Allen JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4425350 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature