Comparison of Models of Acculturation

This study examined whether a unidimensional model or a bidimensional model better explained acculturation of Korean Americans on two levels: (a) separate domains of acculturation and (b) “overall” acculturation. Also, the study examined whether there were meaningfully different forms of acculturation in Korean Americans. Additionally, associations between the acculturation forms and exogenous variables were investigated. On both domain and overall levels, a bidimensional model appeared to more completely explain acculturation of Korean Americans. Three distinct forms of acculturation (assimilation, integration, and segregation) were identified. The three forms were different in acculturation domains as well as in exogenous variables. More research is needed to compare the unidimensional model and the multidimensional model on domain and overall acculturation level.