International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience
Open Access

Research Article

Differences in Resilience by Acculturation Strategies: A Study with Qiang Nationality Following 2008 Chinese Earthquake

Li Han^1,3 John W. Berry⁴, Yongxia Gui¹, Yong Zheng^1,2*

¹Center for Studies of Education and Psychology of Ethnic Minorities in Southwest China, Southwest University, Chongqing, China

²School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China

³Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang, China

⁴Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, and National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia

*Corresponding Author:

Yong Zheng
E-mail: 13808118755@126.com

A number of studies have assessed the association between acculturation and resilience following atraumatic event. This study examines the relationship between acculturation strategies and resilience among the Qiang nationality following the 2008 Chinese earthquake. We found evidence that there are four acculturation strategies (integration, assimilation, separation and marginalization) based on the Qiang’s cultural identity status. We also assessed resilience among this sample, using the Connor-DavidsonResilience Scale (CD-RISC). Correlation analysis results indicated that most dimensions of the Qiang cultural identities have positive relationships with participants’ scores on CD-RISC dimensions of tenacity, strength and optimism. And regression analyses indicated that most of the cultural identity dimensions can predict resilience. The four acculturation strategies are also predictive of resilience: those with an Integration strategy have greater resilience than those pursuing marginalization; those pursuing assimilation and separation have intermediate levels of resilience.

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