Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Date of Award
January 2017
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Janet R. Hankin
Abstract
This study accepts the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between assimilation and the health behaviors, health beliefs, and use of health care services of the Samoan immigrants in the United States. The target population included Samoans who immigrated from Samoa or American Samoa and were 18 or more years of age. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed and 126 respondents were included in the study. The respondents were asked how often they visited the doctor during the year. Would they seek the help of a medical doctor if they were sick, or a Samoan healer? They were also asked about their eating habits, kinds of food they consumed, and did they think diet is important to their health. Did they have an exercise routine and did they think exercise help improve one’s health? In addition, the respondents were asked about their use of health care services that are available to them. Assimilation was measured by five scales: 1) interest in culture/history of Samoa, 2) language of media listened, watched, and read, 3) language use with children, spouse, family, and friends, 4) fluency in the Samoan language, and 5) fluency in the English language. The correlations between the assimilation scales and health behavior variables, health beliefs variables and use of health care services were not robust. Regression analysis were conducted but the results were not significant.
Recommended Citation
Bracken, Miliama, "The Relationship Of Assimilation On The Health Behaviors, Health Beliefs, And Use Of Health Care Services Of The Samoan Immigrants In The United States" (2017). Wayne State University Theses. 553.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/553