Acculturation refers to a process of cultural change that occurs when two or more cultural groups come into contact for an extended time, particularly when individuals in minority groups move into a new culture or host society. This is a complex, dynamic change process whereby individuals continuously negotiate among accepting, adapting to, or denying the characteristics of a majority culture, as well as retaining, changing, or rejecting certain components of their own culture. Psychological acculturation involves an adaptation or change in attitudes, behaviors, values, and identity.

As people undergo the process of cultural change, they often encounter difficulties or challenges in adapting to a new set of cultural customs and behavioral rules in a nonnative society, where they may lack resources and support from their native ...