Navigating Acculturation: Overcoming Challenges and Creating Pathways to Well-Being for Central Asian Immigrants in the United States
This study explores the adaptations of recent immigrants from Central Asia (CA) to the United States. Using qualitative grounded theory analysis of narratives from 42 immigrants, gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, acculturation, life course development, resilience, and intersectionality frameworks were applied to the analysis. Participants included 21 women and 21 men aged 22 to 45. Three major themes emerged. The first theme highlights acculturative challenges and stress, including shifts in gender roles, professional status, and family values. The second theme addresses barriers to seeking help, stemming from ideological and practical constraints. The third theme emphasizes opportunities and positive outlooks on life in the United States for immigrants and their children. The study underscores implications for practice and policy, along with avenues for future research.
Authors
- Amy Lewin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1638-9853)
- Neal Halfon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7956-118X)
- Jerica M. Berge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3371-351X)
- Norma J. Perez‐Brena (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7612-6246)
- Saltanat Childress (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2864-2780)
- Nibedita Shrestha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1951-0599)
- Mark E. Feinberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7699-8899)
- Shirley Ann Russ (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6676-9889)
- Kevin Roy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6095-7088)
Institutions
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- University of Arizona (US)
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- The University of Texas at Arlington (US)
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (US)
- University of Maryland, College Park (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services
- Published
- 2024-11-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894241278382
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.53
Funders
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- National Institutes of Health
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development