Journal of Family Issues
Volume 23, Issue 2, 2002, Pages 266-286

Immigrant family strengths: Meeting communication challenges (Article)

Usita P.M.* , Blieszner R.
  • a San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
  • b Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Virginia State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States

Abstract

The literature on immigrants punctuates their difficulties with language acculturation and communication. Minimal attention has been given to the diversity of immigrant family communication issues in relation to the receiving communities in which they have lived, and research has not assessed immigrant families' strategies for minimizing communication breakdown. Based on in-depth interviews with 20 immigrant mothers and their adult daughters, we examine language acculturation and communication experiences within the context of characteristics of the receiving community. The findings demonstrate the previously hidden complexity of language acculturation and communication experiences within mother-daughter dyads and highlight the variety of problem-solving strategies they employ to maintain strong ties despite language difficulties.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0036104203&doi=10.1177%2f0192513X02023002005&partnerID=40&md5=5dad2dd5c7d1ce4516d26f95928a6dde
DOI: 10.1177/0192513X02023002005
ISSN: 0192513X
Cited by: 23
Original Language: English