A Path Model of Acculturation, Enculturation, Social Connectedness, and Mental Health Among Asian American/Pacific Islander Immigrants.

This study examined how acculturation (adapting to a host culture) and enculturation (retaining one's heritage culture) indirectly affect depression and social anxiety through social connectedness among Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) immigrant emerging adults attending a public university in Guam. Results from 235 participants indicated that higher acculturation was associated with greater peer and university connectedness, which in turn related to lower levels of depression and anxiety, while enculturation was positively linked to family and neighborhood connectedness but did not show indirect effects on mental health. The findings suggest that social connections within the host culture (peers and university) mediate the beneficial effects of acculturation on mental health, whereas enculturation fosters ties within ethnic and familial contexts. These insights highlight the importance of fostering peer and institutional support to improve mental health outcomes among AAPI immigrant emerging adults and have implications for culturally sensitive clinical interventions.