Quad-Dimensional Acculturation, Cultural Integration, and Life Satisfaction of South Sudanese Refugee Young Adults in the United States: A Quasilongitudinal Qualitative Study

Objective: This study aims to describe acculturation among South Sudanese refugees (SSRes) as young adults in the U.S. based on a tridimensional (3D) acculturation framework. Method: Aligning with a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, the present study was designed to investigate in-depth individual experiences of SSRes in two phases, conducting 19 interviews in 2007 and 11 interviews in 2014-2015. The data analysis employed a modified grounded theory approach. Results: A grounded theory emerged indicating that, over time, SSRes experienced quad-dimensional acculturation that included South Sudanese, mainstream American, African American, and African cultures and orientations. Although bidimensional acculturation was prominent in Phase 1, quad-dimensional acculturation emerged and was salient in Phase 2. Furthermore, participants who demonstrated an integrated perspective toward their acculturation tended to report higher life satisfaction scores than those who expressed conflicted perspectives. Conclusions: The findings have theoretical and practical implications for African refugees' adjustment and psychological well-being. Public Significance Statement This study illustrates that SSRe young adults have distinctive experiences regarding acculturation over their 14-year resettlement in the U.S. The findings show that this group of African refugees has engaged with four different cultures and orientations, including South Sudanese, mainstream American, African American, and African. Furthermore, how they manage to balance these four different cultures in constructing their self-identity influenced their life satisfaction. This information may be useful in providing improved support for African refugee youth and young adults in the U.S.