Demographic and psycho-social predictors of dependency on public assistance among Southeast Asian and Eastern European refugees
Author(s):
Tan, Cheribeth Uy
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
M.A.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : Michigan State University, 1992.
Pages:
141
Language:
English
Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the various demographic as well as psycho-social factors that contribute to the utilization and dependency on public assistance among resettled refugees, and to discover differences among the ethnic groups that relate to their economic adjustment. Sixty Hmong, Vietnamese and Polish household heads were interviewed. Results showed that household size, length of stay in refugee camps, acculturative stress, amount of government assistance received, and favorable attitudes towards government assistance relate positively to welfare dependency. Education, occupational experience, and utilization of job assistance sources were other determinants of welfare utilization. Additional findings indicated significant ethnic differences on the above variables. Hmong refugees were at a disadvantage with respect to both acculturation and economic adjustment compared to the other ethnic groups. They also experienced the greatest amount of emigration stress.