Latin American Asylum Seekers in Spain: Acculturation Preferences and Related Psychosocial Variables

The aim of this study was to explore the Latino American asylum seekers’ acculturation preferences in Spain and their relationship with psychosocial variables (stereotypes, emotions, quality of contact, perceived discrimination and social support), differentiating between public and private domains of the Relative Acculturation Extended Model (RAEM). Ninety-eight asylum seekers (44.9% females) answered a questionnaire. Results show that they prefer assimilation in public domains and integration in private domains, showed positive stereotypes and emotions towards Spaniards, perceived a pleasant contact, a low level of discrimination, and moderate-high social support. Different significant predictors emerged: emotions and family support (in public domains) and family support (in private domains) for maintenance preferences; and competence and quality of contact (in public domains) and friends support (in private domains) for adoption preferences.