Does acculturation orientation relate with doctor-immigrant patient relationships and immigrant health literacy?

Abstract

Background: Immigrants often have worse health than non-immigrants. Acculturation orientation (AO) - adaptation to a new culture or maintenance of a previous culture - can have an impact on immigrants' interactions with healthcare professionals, and their health literacy, both of which are important for the immigrant's health. Methods: N=170 immigrant patients (M=54.38 years, SD=17.94, Range=23-96, 74.3% female) recruited from a hospital in Canada, participated in a paper & pencil questionnaire assessing AOs, different aspects of health literacy, and quality of life. Analyses were performed using SPSS 20. Findings: AOs were associated with patients' perceived expectations of their doctor (r=.56/.24/.32). AO was associated with health literacy: adaptation was positively associated with stage of change of physical activity(F(5,62)=2.945 p<0.05), as well as physical activity and nutrition motivation self-efficacy (r=.20/.17); and less adaptation was negatively associated with physical activity motivation and maintenance self-efficacy (r=.19/.18). Improved integration was associated with increased quality of life (r =.21). Conclusion: AOs should be considered when investigating ways to improve immigrant health, and when designing interventions to improve doctor-immigrant patient relationships and immigrant health literacy.