Assessing Aspects of Acculturation in a Muslim American Sample: Development and Testing of the Acculturation Scale for Muslim Americans

Abstract

Acculturation of Muslims into the American culture continues to be a topic of deep interest. The purpose of this study was to examine acculturation in a sample of both American-born and Immigrant Muslim Americans. Two hundred and fifty five Muslim Americans completed a scale designed to assess two aspects of acculturation within the population: adherence to Islamic identity and conformity to American social norms. The survey was distributed in both a paper-based and online anonymous format consisting of demographic questions and the acculturation scale designed for this study. Results revealed that both immigrants and U.S. born Muslim Americans demonstrate a strong adherence to their Islamic identity and low levels of conformity to American social norms. American-born Muslims scored significantly lower on conformity to American social norms than immigrant Muslims. Study findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that Muslim Americans are less likely to sacrifice religious values to assimilate. Specific item results provide insight into what aspects of American culture Muslims are more willing to adopt, and which they are likely to shun. These findings demonstrate the challenges Muslim Americans face integrating in an increasingly hostile host culture.

The Susceptibility to Persuasion Strategies Among Arab Muslims: The Role of Culture and Acculturation

“… Berry’s (1990) four acculturation modes are very well-known and widely studied within the context of immigrants’ psychological and socio-cultural adaptation (e.g., Berry, 2017 ; Abu-Rayya et al, 2018 ; Buchanan et al, 2018 ). While acculturation studies on Arab Muslim immigrants generated mixed-results regarding their acculturation preferences, with some indicating tendencies toward separation (e.g., Bagasra and Mackinem, 2018 ) and others indicating a tendency toward an integration mode of acculturation (e.g., Britto and Amer, 2007 ; Abu-Rayya et al, 2018 ), integration has generally been associated with higher degrees of adjustment (e.g., Berry, 2017 ; Abu-Rayya et al, 2018 ). Yet, no study has explored the relationships between the acculturation modes and persuasion susceptibility among Arab Muslim immigrants, or among immigrants more generally.…”

Impact of perceived discrimination on depression and anxiety among Muslim college students: The role of acculturative stress, religious support, and Muslim identity.

“…These scales may not have adequately captured the experiences of discrimination that Muslim college students face or the true strength of their religious identity. Moreover, while the acculturative stress scale used in this study has been widely used among various minority populations, the use of an acculturation scale tailored for Muslim Americans specifically (e.g., Muslim American acculturation scale; Bagasra & Mackinem, 2019) may have provided a more accurate view of the acculturative stress experiences of those in our sample. Third, participants did not provide information regarding their ethnicity.…”

Mental Health Seeking Behavior Among Muslims in The United States of America

“…Acculturation Scale for Muslim Americans. Acculturation was assessed via the 16-item Acculturation Scale for Muslim Americans (ASMA; Bagasra & Mackinem, 2019). The ASMA has two subscales: Islamic values and American Social Norm.…”

“…Muslim communities and families have the freedom to adopt or reject specific cultural practices as they transition to a secular society (Al-Romi, 2000). Bagasra and Mackinem (2019) examined acculturation to American values in a sample of immigrant and Americanborn Muslim Americans. They identified eight ways in which MIA acculturate to American values: 1.…”