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Health-Seeking Behaviors of Filipino Migrants in Australia: The Influence of Persisting Acculturative Stress and Depression

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Abstract

This study examined the relationships among the constructs of acculturative stress, depression, English language use, health literacy, and social support and the influence of these factors on health-seeking behaviors of Filipino Australians. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 552 respondents were recruited from November 2010 to June 2011. Structural equation modelling was used to examine relationships. A direct and negative relationship between health-seeking behaviors and depression, and an indirect relationship with acculturative stress, was observed mediated through depression. Social support had an important moderating influence on these effects. Although there was an inverse relationship between age and English language usage and depression, age was positively related to health-seeking behavior. Despite their long duration of stay, Filipino Australian migrants continue to experience acculturative stress and depression leading to lower health-seeking behaviors. This study highlights the importance of screening for acculturative stress and depression in migrants and fostering social support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. South Western Sydney Local Health District, 59a Cumberland Rd., Ingleburn, NSW, 2565, Australia

    Della Maneze

  2. Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia

    Della Maneze, Michelle DiGiacomo & Patricia M. Davidson

  3. Centre for Applied Nursing Research (CANR), South Western Sydney Local Health District, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, NSW, 1871, Australia

    Yenna Salamonson & Bronwyn Everett

  4. School of Nursing, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Patricia M. Davidson

  5. School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Locked bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Della Maneze, Yenna Salamonson, Chandra Poudel & Bronwyn Everett

Authors
  1. Della Maneze
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  2. Yenna Salamonson
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  3. Chandra Poudel
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  4. Michelle DiGiacomo
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  5. Bronwyn Everett
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  6. Patricia M. Davidson
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Correspondence to Della Maneze.

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Maneze, D., Salamonson, Y., Poudel, C. et al. Health-Seeking Behaviors of Filipino Migrants in Australia: The Influence of Persisting Acculturative Stress and Depression. J Immigrant Minority Health 18, 779–786 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0233-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0233-x

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