Older Chinese and Hispanic immigrants (mostly Dominican) reacted to 9/11 in distinct, culture bound ways, which helped them cope with this traumatic event. This paper compares the two groups in terms of how they reacted and coped with 9/11, how cultural factors influenced their responses, and discusses implications for social work education, policy and practice. For the Chinese, cultural values associated with social connections played an important role in coping with 9/11, while for Hispanics belief in destiny was significant. Data for the paper come from two independent qualitative studies conducted in 2002 with 31 Hispanic and 51 Chinese subjects. The challenge to social workers of finding ways to help older immigrant populations cope with major trauma will remain well into the future. © 2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hispanic Chinese culture social work education Policy and practice Immigration 9/11 trauma

New York [New York (STT)] Asian immigrant qualitative analysis cultural tradition Social Work cultural influence United States Terrorism North America New York [United States] immigrant population