Dr. Eunju Yoon and students publish work in The Counseling Psychologist

The School of Education is honored to celebrate the work of Dr. Eunju Yoon and her students. They published A meta-analysis of acculturation and enculturation: Bilinear, multidimensional, and context-dependent processes in The Counseling Psychologist.

Acculturation and enculturation are currently conceptualized as bilinear, multidimensional, and context-dependent cultural socialization processes (Yoon et al., 2013). Yet, this conceptualization requires further specification and empirical evidence. Dr. Yoon’s work is timely given the downward shift in productivity of traditional acculturation research and the need for a new direction. Dr. Yoon and her students examined the constructs and processes of acculturation and enculturation by meta-analytically synthesizing the findings of 255 publications (343 independent samples). In support of a bilinear (vs. unilinear) conceptualization, they found that acculturation and enculturation were only slightly associated with each other, r = −.18. In support of multidimensionality and context-dependency, their relationship varied by dimension (e.g., nonsignificant association of mainstream and ethnic identities vs. significant associations in other dimensions), geographic region, and race. Additionally, acculturation and enculturation rates/patterns varied by dimension; extrinsic changes (e.g., behavior) proceeded faster than intrinsic changes (e.g., values, identity). They discuss a direction for future research and implications for practice, advocacy, and education/training. 

The SOE is appreciative of their important work and celebrates this important accomplishment. For more information on this important research, please contact Dr. Yoon (eyoon@luc.edu)