Abstract
Previous research has found that South Asian American women experience acculturative stress that is unique to experiences consistent with their culture (Inman, Ladany, Constantine, Morano, 2001). The current study examined the effect coping (collectivistic coping strategies and sense of coherence) had on the relationship between acculturative stress (Intimate Relations and Sex Role Conflicts) and Satisfaction with Life. Coping strategies examined reflected behaviors consistent with collectivistic cultures, specifically the use of Acceptance, Reframing, Striving, Family Support, Avoidance and Detachment, Private Emotional Outbursts and Sense of Coherence (Heppner, Lee, Wang, Wang, 2006; Antonovsky, 1993). An online survey was submitted by participants (N=121) who reported demographics and completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Cultural Values Conflict Scale (CVCS), Collectivistic Coping Scale (CCS), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS) in a randomized order. A mediation model, developed by Baron and Kenny (1986) was used to analyze the data. A series of multiple regressions were conducted to assess for the mediating impact that each coping strategy had on the relationship between acculturative stress variables (Intimate Relations and Sex Role Expectations) and Satisfaction with Life. The results indicate Family Support, Religion-Spirituality and Sense of Coherence acted as partial mediators in the relationship between Intimate Relations and Satisfaction with Life. Additionally, Family Support and Sense of Coherence were also identified as partial mediating variables in the relationship between Sex Role Expectations and Satisfaction with Life. The limitations, strengths, clinical implications and future directions for research were discussed.