South-North Migratory Syndrome: A Qualitative Study of Acculturation among Africans from Sub-Saharan Africa Living in the United States

Abstract

This study looks at the concept of acculturation and the strategy of integration proposed by John W. Berry. Integration as an acculturation strategy is analyzed from the critical race theoretical framework. The purpose is to understand more about how race, accent, and other subtle social realities act as moderating factors that influence degrees of acculturation for immigrants. The issue of acculturation and the challenges encountered by Africans from sub-Sahara Africa is an important matter and has two significant reasons why it should be explored in detail. First, it ex-rays the psychosocial implications of acculturation when individuals from minority cultures come into contact with others from dominant cultures. Secondly, it identifies areas that require greater attention by decision makers as well as those who have the power and influence to shape public policies that impact mental health, migration and human rights. Using a snowball sample approach, a hermeneutical phenomenology procedure was utilized to understand the lived experiences of four immigrants in the U.S; a qualitative inquiry methodology was also employed. Interviewees’ responses were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis. Findings indicate that immigrant background, language, and accent are negative influences that mitigate immigrants’ ability to adapt to new societies. It is suggested that international psychologists may need to be more vigilant and actively participate in not only helping new immigrants receive the indispensable training required to facilitate integration, but also help immigrants remain cognizant of the fact that difficulties with acculturation may be influenced by subtle underlying racial implications within the host society.

Keywords: Acculturation, language and accent discrimination, ethnicity, and racial prejudice