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Positive Coping Strategies among Immigrant Cambodian Families: An Ethnographic Case Study
Author(s) -
Reiboldt Wendy,
Goldstein Avery E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
family and consumer sciences research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 1077-727X
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x00284004
Subject(s) - immigration , coping (psychology) , qualitative research , ethnography , focus group , refugee , service provider , variety (cybernetics) , psychology , sociology , service (business) , political science , social science , business , clinical psychology , marketing , artificial intelligence , anthropology , computer science , law
This longitudinal, qualitative research study was employed to study service use among poor immigrant families in the context of their neighborhoods. Researchers interviewed Southeast Asian families over a 2‐year period. It was discovered that these families did not rely on traditional service‐delivery models to fulfill family needs. Rather, families tended to rely on each other. We discovered a variety of family strengths, that is, mechanisms that help families adapt and survive. Emerging themes include a focus on education for children, an emphasis on children's safety, insulation of family members, and a reliance on close family and community members. Family and consumer science professionals can benefit by gaining a greater understanding of the history of Cambodian refugees and by recognizing their strengths and coping strategies.