Acculturation, Wellbeing and Health of Paraguayan Students in Spain

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between the elements that determine the process of acculturation, well-being and health of Paraguayan students of masters and doctorates, who currently reside in Spain. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected using the Multidimensional Difference Individual Acculturation (MIDA), which has been back-translated into Spanish language and administered to 104 fellows of the National Scholarship Program "Don Carlos Antonio López", 32% men and 68% women. Descriptive analysis and correlations between the variables that determine the process of acculturation, well-being and health have been carried out. To analyze whether psychosocial resources are related to physical and psychological health, simple linear regression analysis was conducted. As for the health habits analyzed, half of the students have shown to feel good throughout the day, almost all of them feel in a good mood and eager, with a healthy diet. Positive correlations between discomfort, ingroup social support, outgroup social support, in- and outgroup contact, and psychological wellbeing and health were found. Cultural competence correlates positively with ingroup social support, outgroup social support, in- and out group contact and psychological well-being and health. The majority of Paraguayan students living in Spain have the necessary resources to face the acculturation process and are able to maintain their physical and psychological well-being and health habits. This research is the first that analyzes the acculturation process of Paraguayan students in Spain. It contributes to identifying people who have difficulties to face the Spanish host culture.