The purpose of this prospective study is to examine the longitudinal influence of modifiable behaviors that mediate the effects of acculturation on post-migration health. The study will identify strategic points in time during which nursing interventions would be most effective for midlife immigrant women from the former Soviet Union. Immigration is a non-normative developmental transition that takes place in the context of the family system. Older age at immigration and female gender are important predictors of vulnerability. Significant deterioration in physical and psychological health has been documented cross- sectionally as duration of residence increases. Longitudinal methods have not been used, however, to systematically study the effects of acculturation and behavioral risk factors on health status.
The specific aims of the study are to 1) track changes over time in acculturation, using indicators of English language usage, adoption of U.S. lifestyle, cultural identity, and acculturation attitudes; 2) track changes in modifiable behavioral mediators, including stress management resources, family adaptation, diet and physical activity; 3) track changes over time in health status, using indicators of physical and psychological health; and 4) identify background factors, acculturation characteristics, and behavioral mediators that are correlates of change in health status. Participants will include 225 women, 40 to 70 years old, who are less than 6 years post- migration at entry into the study. Data collection will include questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recalls, and physical measurements (e.g., blood pressure, serum cholesterol and percent body fat), assessed every 9 months (5 times) over 3 years. The sample will be stratified by age and duration of residence. Data analysis will employ an innovative application of hierarchical linear models to document within-individual change over time and estimate group change over the first 9 years post-migration. Prudent targeting of intervention is critical to facilitating effective allocation of health care research while improving health status for new immigrants. The resource methodology validated by this study can be applied to other populations to identify high risk periods and design multifocal programs that are age, gender and culture specific.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD038101-05
Application #
6693388
Study Section
Nursing Research Study Section (NURS)
Program Officer
Clark, Rebecca L
Project Start
1999-09-07
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2003-09-01
Budget End
2005-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$132,724
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
098987217
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Nicholson, Lisa M; Miller, Arlene Michaels; Schwertz, Dorie et al. (2013) Gender differences in acculturation, stress, and salivary cortisol response among former Soviet immigrants. J Immigr Minor Health 15:540-52
Miller, Arlene M; Sorokin, Olga; Fogg, Louis (2013) Individual, family, social, and cultural predictors of depressed mood in former Soviet immigrant couples. Res Nurs Health 36:271-83
Miller, Arlene Michaels; Wang, Edward; Szalacha, Laura A et al. (2009) Longitudinal Changes in Acculturation for Immigrant Women from the Former Soviet Union. J Cross Cult Psychol 40:400-415
Miller, Arlene Michaels; Birman, Dina; Zenk, Shannon et al. (2009) NEIGHBORHOOD IMMIGRANT CONCENTRATION, ACCULTURATION, AND CULTURAL ALIENATION IN FORMER SOVIET IMMIGRANT WOMEN. J Community Psychol 37:88-105
Miller, Arlene Michaels; Sorokin, Olga; Wang, Edward et al. (2006) Acculturation, social alienation, and depressed mood in midlife women from the former Soviet Union. Res Nurs Health 29:134-46
Miller, Arlene Michaels; Chandler, Peggy J; Wilbur, JoEllen et al. (2004) Acculturation and cardiovascular disease risk in midlife immigrant women from the former Soviet Union. Prog Cardiovasc Nurs 19:47-55
Miller, Arlene Michaels; Sorokin, Olga; Wilbur, Joellen et al. (2004) Demographic characteristics, menopausal status, and depression in midlife immigrant women. Womens Health Issues 14:227-34
Miller, Arlene Michaels; Wilbur, JoEllen; Chandler, Peggy J et al. (2003) Cardiovascular disease risk factors and menopausal status in midlife women from the former Soviet Union. Women Health 38:19-36