The Impact of Acculturative Stress on Marital Distress among Middle Eastern Immigrants: Measuring Social Support as a Moderator

Abstract

Immigration is a significant life transition, which impacts family dynamics at multiple levels. Using hierarchical multiple regression, the present study examined 132 Middle Eastern married immigrants` experiences of the association between socio-demographic characteristics and acculturative stress and between acculturative stress, social support, and marital distress. Via online and paper-pencil surveys, participants completed demographic questions, the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) (Busby et al., 1995), the Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental (SAFE) Scale (Mena, Padilla, & Maldonado, 1987), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988). Results revealed that participants with longer years of residence in the U.S. and higher income levels reported less acculturative stress. Social support moderated the impact of acculturative distress on marital distress and participants with medium and high levels of social support experienced less acculturative stress compared to participants with low level of social support. Recommendations for future research and clinical interventions that facilitate Middle Eastern immigrant couples’ cultural adjustment are provided.