Items from several existing acculturation scales were used to develop a multidimensional assessment of cultural identity and biculturalism. Items assessed language use, values and attitudes, behavior, and familiarity with aspects of American and Latino culture. Results from 130 Latino college students showed differences in language preference,…

The Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanic Youth is a modification of an existing acculturation scale for Hispanic adults. Initial normative data as well as internal consistency and split-half reliabilities are provided. Exploratory factor analysis on scores of 141 Hispanic youth, grades 5-8, resulted in factors labeled Extrafamilial Language Use,…

Discusses the development of a course to assist hotel and restaurant English-speaking managers and employees in communicating with their non-English-speaking Hispanic employees and co-workers. (GLR)

Examines trends in minority enrollments in health professions schools since the early 1970s, comparing the situation for Native American students to those of African Americans and Hispanics. Discusses enrollments, financial assistance for disadvantaged students, and recruitment of minority students in schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry,…

Criticizes Calvin Veltman's methodology in "The Future of the Spanish Language in the United States," in which he concludes that a majority of U.S.-born Spanish-dominant speakers are abandoning Spanish and becoming English speakers. Suggests that English language usage does not necessarily indicate English proficiency. Discusses…

Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey are used to investigate the prevalence of hearing loss and hearing aid use among 1,682 Mexican-American, 441 Cuban-American, and 628 Puerto Rican adults. Hearing loss, very prevalent in the general population, is also highly prevalent in the Hispanic-American population. (SLD)

In 40 mainland Puerto Rican intact middle-income families, fathers spent about a third as much time as mothers in primary caregiving of preschool children. Paternal involvement with preschool children was associated with paternal commitment to family and competence but not with family income or father's educational attainment. (Author/SV)

Notes difficulty in finding material that directly examines the usefulness of career strategies for ethnic minority clients. Suggests a focus for intervention strategies designed for four ethnic minorities (African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans). Section on definitions and relevant factors examines racial…

Traces minority participation in higher education from the 1970s to the present period of decline. Finds discriminatory policies impede the hiring of minority faculty. Offers strategies for enhancing the minority presence at all campus levels. (DM)

Compares characteristics of California high schools with low and high dropout rates for Hispanic students. Identifies programs and factors that positively influence student retention and keep students from dropping out. Schools with pleasing physical appearance, sound management, efficient and caring staff, and multicultural environments had…

Field education of Latino social work students is examined for areas of potential cultural conflict affecting development and incorporation of the social work role, with special consideration given to the family's importance in the Latino culture. The need for a supportive learning environment is discussed, and cross-cultural dynamics of…

A recent report that up to 70% of the nation's African-American and Hispanic elementary and secondary school students are in classrooms with predominantly minority enrollments has been received by civil rights leaders with little surprise. The trend toward increasing segregation is most apparent in the Northeast and South. (MSE)

Study analyzed 117 articles on African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans published in 1980s in 4 major social work journals. Concluded that most of literature on social work practice with minorities is naive and superficial and fails to address their social context. (Author/NB)

This book presents a timely, refreshing, and fairly solid contribution to the assessment field. It focuses on differential psychology and psychological testing related to Hispanic Americans, emphasizing the proper role of tests and several technical and social issues pertaining to Hispanic Americans. (SLD)

Tested hypothesis that use of different languages in telephone survey could adversely affect cross-cultural comparability of standardized research measures. Of 2,299 persons surveyed in 1988 National Survey of Hispanic Elderly People, 86.6% were interviewed in Spanish and 13.4% were interviewed in English. Factor structure associated with positive…