Facilitators and Barriers to Employment among Hmong American Young Adult Men with Mental Illness: A Qualitative Study
Author(s):
Bengtson, Kevin
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
Ph.D.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : The University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2018.
Pages:
121
Language:
English
Abstract:
The prevalence of mental illness among Hmong Americans is estimated to be close to 33.5% as opposed to 17.9% found in the general U.S. population based on the findings of several research studies and estimates from the NIMH. The high prevalence of mental health and mental health stigma has also lead to Hmong Americans experiencing greater difficulties in obtaining and retaining employment. Although no data was available on the specific unemployment or underemployment rates of Hmong Americans with mental illness, their current labor force participation in comparison to the rest of the U.S. population sheds some light on the difficulties that Hmong Americans have had in attempting to obtain employment. Despite the fact that Hmong Americans’ labor force participation has been improved over the past two decades, it still lags behind the rest of the civilian U.S. population—only 56% of Hmong Americans are employed as opposed to 65% of the U.S. Civilian labor force. Although the levels of employment have increased over the past two decades the per capita income of Hmong Americans at $11,766 is significantly lower than the overall U.S. population per capita income at $26,279 leading to higher rates of poverty and a higher reliance on public assistance. Employment is considered essential to an individual’s identity and provides pathways to community engagement and participation. Employment can also lead to higher levels of self-esteem, increased overall subjective well-being, and decreased levels of depression, anxiety, and alcohol consumption for persons with mental illness. Despite the noted importance of employment for persons of mental illness no research has been undertaken to understand the facilitators Hmong American males with mental illness may utilize or the barriers they face in obtaining and retaining employment. No research has explored the role that stigma and intergenerational trauma play in the employment process for Hmong adult males with mental health issues. Additionally, there is very limited knowledge regarding employment issues related to Hmong Americans with disabilities and no research has been specifically undertaken with Hmong American males. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to understand the facilitators, barriers, stigma, and intergenerational trauma experienced by Hmong adult men ages 18 to 35 years old with mental health issues residing in Wisconsin when attempting obtain and retain employment. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight Hmong American males with mental health issues between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age. Six participants self-identified as having depression and two as having anxiety. One participant self-identified as having both depression and anxiety. None of the participants identified as having severe mental illness and all the participants in this study could be considered “high functioning”. A phenomenological qualitative research framework, with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to interpret the experiences of the participants. Co-cultural theory was used as a conceptual framework to further theoretically informed analysis of the qualitative data and answer the principle research question (“How do young adult Hmong males with mental health issues navigate and experience finding employment in Wisconsin?”). Two research team members of Hmong descent were recruited to assist with this study. Both grew up within Hmong American communities in Wisconsin and have an intimate understanding of Hmong culture. Additionally, both speak two different forms of Hmong dialect (Hmoob Dawg or “Hmong White” and Hmoob Ntsuab or “Hmong Green”), can read the Hmong language, and have experience working with persons who have mental health issues. The six stages of hermeneutic data analysis as developed by Ajjawi & Higgs (2007): Immersion, Understanding, Abstraction, Synthesis and Theme Development, Illumination and Illustrating the Phenomena, Critique of the Themes by the Researcher were used as a process to uncover the facilitators, barriers, and stigma experienced by Hmong American males with mental health issues to obtain and retain employment. Seven major themes identified indicate that Hmong culture and extended family play significant roles in the employment process for the participants in this study acting as both a facilitators and barriers. There also appears to be a significant level of “bi-cultural” stress being experienced by many of the participants in this study that has inadvertently has affected their overall mental well-being, leading to difficulty finding long-term employment. Co-cultural theory was used to further theoretically inform and interpret the findings for this research study. From the eight interviews undertaken it is apparent that for the participants in this study their preferred outcome is accommodation or trying to maintain their cultural uniqueness within the broader American society. Results of this study indicate it would seem important to utilize Hmong American mental health counselors, rehabilitation counselors, and employment specialists where possible. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)