ABSTRACT
112There is growing alarm about the dramatic increase of chronic diseases among more acculturated Vietnamese (Yee, 1999). There were 180 Vietnamese adults, stratified by gender and age: 93 males and 87 females; young (ages 18–34), middle aged (ages 35–58), and older (ages 59+). A MANOVA was performed with nine Chronic Diseases Risk subscales, health behaviors, acculturation, depression, and health locus of control as dependent variables. Significant main effects for age and gender were found, with female and older Vietnamese having more chronic disease risk knowledge. Younger Vietnamese engaged in more health behaviors, were more acculturated, less depressed, and had less external locus of control. Chronic disease prevention must take account of these intraethnic factors.
