Research output per year
Research output per year
Research methods: Quantitative and Qualitative
Working with adult population
Immigration policy and practice
Immigration health and mental health.
In investigating integrative health among Latina immigrants in the U.S., my research has two components. The first component addresses the acculturative stress among Latina immigrants in the U.S.A., highlighting cultural and integration pattern differences among Latina women born in different parts of Latin America. Using quantitative methods, primarily Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), my research explores the interactive effect of socio-structural and cultural factors in coping with integration challenges among this population. The second component addresses the interactive effect of socio-structural and cultural determinants to cancer prevention engagement among Latina immigrants living in rural parts of the U.S. Through a grant which I received from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign Center for Advanced Studies (CAS), I administered a pilot study to test whether and how socio-economic and cultural influence on Latina immigrants engagement with breast cancer prevention varies among Mexican women living in rural and urban parts of the U.S. Working with a multi-disciplinary research team which I organised, consisting primarily of PhD students, I collected over 350 surveys and am now in the process of analysing this data. Other research interests include health among immigrant women, i.e. cancer, and women’s mental health in post-conflict areas such as the Balkan Penninsula.
Besides SEM, I use Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM), Regression analyses, Confirmatory and Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA; CFA).
Recent publications:
Bekteshi, V., Sung-Wan, K. (2018). Contextualizing acculturative stress among Latino immigrants in the United States: a systematic review. Ethnicity & Health, 1-18. 10.1080/13557858.2018.1469733.
López-Cevallos, D. F., Gonzalez, P., Bethel, J. W., Castañeda, S. F., Isasi, C. R., Penedo, F. J., ... Gallo, L. C. (2017). Is there a link between wealth and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Hispanic/Latinos? Results from the HCHS/SOL sociocultural ancillary study. Ethnicity & health, 1-12. DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2017.1315370
Fox, R. S., Mills, S. D., Roesch, S. C., Sotres-Alvarez, D., Gonzalez, P., Bekteshi, V., ... Malcarne, V. L. (2017). Perceptions of Cancer Risk/Efficacy and Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors: Results From the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 1-10. DOI: 10.1177/1090198117744242
Bekteshi, V., Van Hook, M., Levin, J., Kang, S. W., & Tran, T. (2017). Social work with Latino immigrants: Contextual approach to acculturative stress among Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican Women. British Journal of Social Work, 47(2), 447-466. DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcw003.
Yes.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Integrative Health among Immigrant Women, Washington University in St. Louis
Award Date: 1 May 2012
Integrative Health among Immigrant Women, Doctor of Social Science, Boston College
Award Date: 1 May 2011
Global Social Work, Master of Social Science, Boston College
Award Date: 1 May 2008
Health Policy, Master of Public Administration, Columbia University
Award Date: 1 May 2005
Political Science, Master of Social Science, St. John's University
Award Date: 1 May 2001
Political Science and Broadcast Journalism, Bachelor of Arts, University of Oklahoma
Award Date: 1 May 1999
Senior Lecturer, University of York
1 Jul 2016 → 1 Aug 2018
Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1 Jul 2012 → 1 May 2016
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review