Two studies published this month by the American Psychological Association (APA) report new research findings on health and quality of life issues for urban and immigrant Latinos.
STUDY: Resources for Health: A Primary Care-Based Diet and Physical Activity Intervention Targeting Urban Latinos With Multiple Chronic Conditions," Elizabeth G. Eakin, PhD, Queensland Cancer Fund and Queensland University of Technology; Sheana S. Bull, PhD, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO; Kimberley M. Riley, PhD, Center for Research Strategies; Marina M. Reeves, PhD, Queensland Cancer Fund; Patty McLaughlin, PhD, and Silvia Gutierrez, PhD, Clinica Campesina Family Health Services; Health Psychology, Vol. 26, No. 4.
In this study, researchers recruited 200 Spanish-speaking adults with at least one chronic condition (ex. hypertension, chronic pain, depression, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, etc…) at the Clinica Campesina Family Health Services in Denver, Colorado to see if a lifestyle focused intervention could improve the participants' health. This multi-approach intervention, called Resources for Health, focused on improving physical activity, dietary behavior and support for healthy lifestyles from families and friends. Implemented over a six-month period, the intervention involved two face-to-face visits (60-90 minutes) three months apart, three follow up phone calls and three newsletters tailored to the behavioral goals of each participant.
According to lead author Elizabeth G. Eakin, PhD and co-authors, The Resources for Health intervention was effective in improving health habits and supports on two of the three measures for the majority of the study participants. Significant improvements were found in dietary behavior and support for a healthy lifestyle from family and friends. Unfortunately, no improvements were found for physical activity.
Results of the study are encouraging, as they demonstrate that a lifestyle intervention, previously trialed with middle class, Caucasian participants, was similarly effective in helping lower-income, largely Spanish-speaking patients to make health behavior changes important to managing chronic diseases.
"We didn't actually have to make any changes to the intervention content beyond translation into Spanish," said Dr. Eakin. "It was more a matter of making sure that we delivered the intervention using health educators who were fluent in Spanish and experienced in working with Latinos, as well as taking the time upfront to develop relationships within the local community and health care setting, such that the study gained both credibility and visibility."
STUDY: "Work-Family Conflict: Experiences and Health Implications Among Immigrant Latinos," Joseph G. Grzywacz, PhD, Thomas A. Arcury, PhD, and Antonio Marin, PhD, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Lourdes Carrillo, PhD, and Bless Burke, PhD, Centro Latino of Caldwell Country; Michael L. Coates, PhD, and Sara A. Quandt, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 92, No. 4.
This study examined the work-family experiences of recent immigrant Latinos working in low wage nonprofessional work. Work-family balance is a popular topic yet very little is known about the work-family experiences of Latinos, the fastest growing segment of the workforce and a population that frequently find themselves in difficult work arrangements.
Researchers asked 226 immigrants from rural communities in Mexico and Central America who were employed in the poultry processing industry about their experiences combining work and family. Some of the variables looked at included how much the physical and psychological demands of poultry processing work affects family life, including episodes of work-family conflict, the degree to which such conflict contributed to poor health and how much gender influenced the severity of work-family conflicts. Up to this point, such research has included only White, European and Asian samples in middle-class occupations.
Surprisingly, the authors found that these workers were not as affected by work family conflicts as previously studied European and Asian American families were and therefore didn't suffer as many health consequences due to the stress of work-family conflict. The findings offer clues into the differences between cultures, according to the study authors. Immigrant Latino poultry workers rarely reported work-family conflicts, the authors say because "collective" cultures, such as those in Latin America, may view their work and family lives as more integrated or interdependent.
"Whereas workers in the U.S. tend to view 'work' and 'family' as separate spheres of life, beliefs held by individuals from other parts of the world view work as a necessary and vital component of family well-being. The cultural belief that work is a functional means to important family ends may minimize experiences of work-family conflict," said lead author Joseph G. Grzywacz, PhD.
The study also reported that women workers report more fatigue from work than the men did and that it interfered with family chores and activities. "Cultural ideals about family and women's responsibilities for family care coupled with few cultural models for managing a dual-earner household may elevate the potential for work/family conflict among employed female Latinos," said Grzywacz.
Full texts of the articles are available from the APA Public Affairs Office or at apa/journals/releases/hea264392.pdf and apa/journals/releases/apl9241119.pdf .
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