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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2000 Sep 1;91(5):357–360. doi: 10.1007/BF03404807

Negative Consequences of Acculturation on Health Behaviour, Social Support and Stress among Pregnant Southeast Asian Immigrant Women in Montreal: An Exploratory Study

Ilene Hyman 19,✉, Gilles Dussault 29
PMCID: PMC6979678  PMID: 11089289

Abstract

It is frequently assumed that migrant status constitutes a health risk because migration is inevitably associated with a period of significant adjustment and stress. This paper describes the role of acculturation in understanding the relationship between migration and low birthweight (LBW). Psychosocial and behavioural risk factors for LBW were explored using semi-structured interviews with 17 pregnant Southeast Asian women who represented different levels of acculturation. Findings suggested that acculturation had negative consequences for immigrant women. Higher levels of acculturation were associated with dieting during pregnancy, inadequate social support and stressful life experiences.

Footnotes

Ilene Hyman was the recipient of National Health Research & Development Program Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Training Fellowships from Health Canada. This study received funding from the Conseil québécois de la recherche sociale.

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