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CommentsAcculturation may cause pregnancy problems
A new study hints that adapting to U.S. culture may be hazardous to Hispanics’ health.
In a University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston study of pregnant Hispanic women, those who spoke English well and demonstrated acculturation, were four times as likely to suffer premature births compared to their peers who were not as proficient. The English speakers also had lower levels of progesterone, a hormone that is essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
It’s been known for a while that low-income Hispanics are healthier than their non-Hispanic white peers—a phenomenon known as the “Hispanic Paradox.” Moreover, as Hispanics become more acculturated, meaning they adopt the beliefs, values and behaviors of the mainstream culture, their health worsens—a phenomenon known as the “Acculturation Paradox.”
Researchers say a number of factors could explain the findings, including the stress of becoming acculturated, changes in family roles and male-female relationships, discrimination, depression or even diet.
