| Many have studied the impact of acculturation on different cultures. However, the researches have not included immigrants from the English-speaking Caribbean islands. This research investigated the West Indian immigrant's adjustment and how they are affected by acculturation. It explored the relationship between acculturation, ethnic identity, gender differences, biculturalism, and protective factors of the English-speaking people from the West Indies living in Canada. Acculturation has been around for many centuries and there have been many definitions. One definition describes acculturation as the following: "Those phenomena which result when groups of individuals having different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact" causing "changes in the original culture patterns of either or both groups" (Redfield, Linton & Herskovits, 1936, as cited in Rudmin & Ahmzdzadeh, 2001, page 41). The sample consisted of 99 adults, 67 women, and 32 men. These individuals voluntarily participated in this research and were recruited by flyers, e-mail, and word of mouth. Participants completed a packet containing demographic and acculturation questionnaires about their experiences with migrating and acculturating to the social and cultural changes related to a new way of life and living in the Canadian society. It was found that Caribbean immigrants retained their ethnic identity. Women appeared to have experienced more distress than men, to have exhibited bicultural competence and to have had a vast support network and coping strategies. The findings are discussed within the context of acculturation to the Canadian society and will be best understood from a cultural, social, and psychological perspective in better understanding the Caribbean immigrants in Canada. In addition, the limitations of the study and future research direction are presented. |
