Acculturation, Well-Being and Identity of Oromo Immigrants

Date of Award

8-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Joseph R. Morris, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Jennifer M. Foster, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Mohammed H. Ali, Ph.D.

Keywords

Acculturation, acculturative stress, ethnic identity, oromo, racial identity, wellbeing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between racial and ethnic identity, acculturative stress, and well-being for first generation Oromo immigrants. Studies regarding immigration, acculturative stress, identity, and well-being have primarily centered on Hispanics, Asians, and Caribbean individuals, but there has been a lack of attention toward Black African immigrants, including Oromo immigrants. The lack of inquiry into Black African immigrants, especially Oromo immigrants, creates a perception that all immigrants are the same, leading to a generic approach toward immigrant interventions and falls short of meeting the unique mental health needs of specific African communities.

Immigrants must overcome barriers to speaking the English language, gaining employment, obtaining and maintaining housing, healthcare, and acquiring basic needs (Chung et al., 2008). Oromo immigrants must learn how to navigate identities as Oromo, African and American while incorporating the racialization process which is a central component of the black immigrant experience in the United States (Foner, 2016). Research on the impact of being a first-generation Oromo immigrant, identity development, psychological well-being, and acculturative stress, remains an area in need of research.

The study’s sample consisted of 151 participants (85 male, 66 female) who self-identified as Oromo immigrants, eighteen years or older, and living in the United States. The instruments used in this study included a demographic questionnaire; the Ethnic Identity Scale (EIS); the Multidimensional Model of Racial Identity (MIBI); Scale of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB; Ryff, 1989); and Societal, Academic, Familial, and Environmental scale (SAFE). A Bivariate correlation, simple linear regression and multiple linear regression was conducted to test the study’s hypotheses.

Results indicated that there was a positive relationship between racial centrality and all aspects of ethnic identity (affirmation, exploration, and resolution), as well as between private racial regard and both ethnic identity affirmation and resolution. Specifically, two aspects of ethnic identity—affirmation and exploration—were significantly and positively associated with psychological well-being. Lastly, as predicted, acculturative stress negatively influenced well-being. It should also be noted that a strong racial or ethnic identity does not mitigate against the impact of acculturative stress. These nuanced findings highlight the necessity of using culturally sensitive approaches for effective mental health work with first-generation Oromo immigrants. Interpretation of the findings, study limitations, research, policy, and clinical implications, are discussed.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Abstract Only

Restricted to Campus until

8-1-2026

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