Springer Science and Business Media LLC

An empirical measure of East Asian ethnic identity was developed and evaluated. One hundred and fifty nonclinical East Asian immigrants (75 males and 75 females) were administered the East Asian Ethnic Identity Scale (EAEIS) and a psychometrically established measure of self-construal. Satisfactory reliability is reported for the overall EAEIS as well as its three factor analytically derived scales, including family values, ethnic pride (language, sense of belonging), and interpersonal distance. While EAEIS and independent self-construal were not associated, individuals who endorsed EAEIS were more likely to report an interdependent self-construal. The findings suggest that the EAEIS may be a useful tool for researchers and clinicians to investigate potentially important themes and individual differences in the experiences of East Asian immigrants.

Smokeless tobacco and areca nut usage are integral cultural traditions in South Asia. Paan and gutka are two commonly used products which contain these ingredients. They are immensely popular in South Asia and with South Asian immigrants. Regular paan and gutka use is associated with several deleterious health consequences, most significantly oral cancer. Of particular concern is the markedly increased risk of oral cancer in South Asian immigrants when compared with the natives in new areas of settlement. The South Asian community in the United States is large and rapidly growing. Paan and gutka are legal in the United States, and readily available in ethnic enclaves. Smokeless tobacco prevention and cessation research and interventions have not yet addressed the unique sociocultural circumstances of this growing, at-risk community. The medical, dental, and public health communities need to join forces to combat this emerging threat.

This study was undertaken to analyze how the way young, recently immigrated, families utilize health services evolves over time. Twenty families participated in the study. They all included at least one child of preschool age, had immigrated less than 8 years previously, and had used primary healthcare services since their arrival. A triphasic pattern of utilization was observed, consisting of contact with one or more health services, selection of specific services from those available, and consolidation of choices. Families relied upon a variety of information sources in each of these phases. The primary attributes upon which the families based their evaluation, selection, and adoption of health services were geographical and temporal accessibility, interpersonal and technical quality of services, and language spoken by health professionals and staff. Perception of health services' attributes is influenced by the families' sociocultural referents and preemigration experience. Results indicate that utilization of primary healthcare services progressively changes over time, evolving from the ad hoc use of walk-in services to the adoption of regular sources of care.