Cultural Orientation and Ethnic Identity as Predictors of Perceived Wellness

Abstract

Wellness is a term used to describe an individual’s health in a holistic manner; however, little attention has been paid to factors that might influence wellness. The purpose of this research is to determine whether cultural orientation and aspects of ethnic identity are associated with an individual’s perceived wellness. A sample of 205 undergraduate students at a large Pacific Island university completed an online survey. A three-step multiple regression showed that personal cultural orientation and ethnic identity achievement were related to perceived wellness. However, personal cultural orientation did not moderate the relationship between ethnic identity achievement and perceived wellness. These findings support the need to consider personal cultural orientation and ethnic identity when developing wellness programs. Future research should examine the long-term effects of these factors on wellness, whether the outcomes are similar or not in individuals who identify as multi-ethnic, and how these factors impact wellness in diverse populations.