Promoting Gardening Projects among Hmong Elderly Refugees: Implications for Psychosocial Adjustment
Author(s):
Prior, Susan; Lu, Yuhwa Eva
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Arete, Volume 24, Issue 2 (2000-10). pp. 91-104.
Language:
English
Abstract:
This study intended to answer the question: Does the gardening experience make a difference in the psychosocial adjustment process of the Hmong elderly in San Diego? Specifically, the study compared elderly refugees engaging in gardening activities with nongardeners & how this experience affected their coping & adjustment to their new community. The findings demonstrate that gardeners as a group retained a more positive memory of their past lives in Laos & expressed more intensive grievances of the losses. They wanted to maintain a closer tie to their cultural traditions & were more emotionally expressive & active. In comparison, the nongardeners expressed less emotional connection with their past & seemed less animated when describing their lives in the US. 1 Table, 56 References. Adapted from the source document.