An investigation of the process of biculturation with Hmong refugees
Author(s):
Rick, Kathryn
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
Ph.D.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : University of Colorado at Boulder, 1988.
Pages:
191
Language:
English
Abstract:
This study explores the concept of biculturalism by examining whether bicultural refugees felt more positive about various aspects of their lives than refugees who were monocultural either because they rejected the U.S. culture and remained totally traditional or because they rejected their traditional culture for the U.S. culture. Historically, the process of acculturation has been considered the means by which people adapt to new cultural situations (Nicassio, 1983) and biculturation was thought to be a state that produces serious value conflicts (Madsen, 1964). More recent research has suggested, however, that the process of biculturation enables individuals to resolve possible cultural conflicts that arise when people are socialized in two cultures (Szapocznik, Kurtines, and Fernandez, 1980). A questionnaire completed by a sample of twenty-nine Hmong refugees included scales that measured biculturation, intergenerational differences, alienation, acculturative stress, satisfaction with quality of life, and satisfaction with self. Nine of the twenty-nine were interviewed by a translator because of their language preference. Results indicated that although biculturation was not a significant predictor of alienation, acculturative stress, satisfaction with quality of life, or satisfaction with self, the linear change from a traditional Hmong life orientation to a mainstream U.S. life orientation predicted increasing alienation, increasing acculturative stress, and decreasing satisfaction with self. Additionally, the relationship between biculturation and satisfaction with self depended on age, the number of years spent in the U.S., and the level of education in U.S. schools. Age and level of education in the U.S. school system were both significant predictors of alienation and acculturative stress. Increasing age was associated with greater alienation and stress, whereas higher education level was associated with lower alienation and stress. The relationship between biculturation and acculturative stress depended on the level of education in U.S. schools. Results suggest that although biculturation as measured in this study is not advantageous for adaptation of the Hmong in the Boulder-Denver area, the adoption of a monocultural stance toward U.S. culture is associated with a difficult cultural transition. Additionally, results suggest that Hmong refugees experience their cultural transitions differently, hence specialized services might be useful to ease adjustment.