| Segmented assimilation theory and perinatal health disparities among women of Mexican descent. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 19450913 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
A higher prevalence of infant low birth weight (<2500 g) has been observed among more acculturated mothers of Mexican descent living in the U.S. when compared to their less acculturated counterparts. Tests of the "acculturation hypothesis" have established that disparities in certain risks for low birth weight exist between subgroups of women of Mexican-origin. However, disparities observed by neighborhood of residence have yet to be explained. Most tests of the acculturation hypothesis assume a classical path of assimilation, whereby Mexican American health is expected to deteriorate with time spent residing in the U.S. and across the generations. The theory of segmented assimilation suggests that alternative paths are possible depending upon individual characteristics and the context of the neighborhood into which immigrant families and their children reside. This study tested the theory of segmented assimilation as a framework for examining the geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic underpinnings of population differences in infant low birth weight among women of Mexican descent in California using the 2000 U.S. Census and population-based data from the Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (1999-2005) (n=6442). Little support was found for the theory's hypotheses. Rather, increased odds for infant low birth weight were observed for English speakers residing in Latino immigrant neighborhoods when compared to English speakers in other neighborhoods, an effect attenuated for Spanish speakers. Elevated odds of low birth weight were also observed among English speakers residing in Latino immigrant neighborhoods when compared to Spanish speakers in the same neighborhoods. Findings suggest the transfer of health-specific social capital in ethnic neighborhoods may depend upon sociocultural consonance between individuals and neighborhood residents. The authors call for additional research that sheds light on the sociocultural dynamics of maternal and infant health at multiple levels. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Michelle A Johnson; Kristen S Marchi |
Related Documents
:
|
21167773 - Hbv viremia in newborns of hbsag(+) predominantly caucasian hbeag(-) mothers. 16148953 - Outcome measurement in hedis: can risk adjustment save the low birth weight measure? 19638013 - Epigenetic modulation at birth - altered dna-methylation in white blood cells after cae... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2009-05-18 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Social science & medicine (1982) Volume: 69 ISSN: 1873-5347 ISO Abbreviation: Soc Sci Med Publication Date: 2009 Jul |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2009-06-15 Completed Date: 2009-09-22 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 8303205 Medline TA: Soc Sci Med Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 101-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
UCLA School of Public Affairs, Department of Social Welfare, 3250 Public Policy Building, Box 951656, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656, USA. maj@ucla.edu |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Adolescent Adult California Female Healthcare Disparities* Humans Interviews as Topic Mexico / ethnology Middle Aged Models, Theoretical* Perinatal Care* Young Adult |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Psychoeducational treatment and prevention of depression: the "Coping with Depression" cou...
Next Document: Usefulness of Video-assisted Thoracoscopy for Correctly Staging Tumors as T3 Because of Chest Wall I...