Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies
Volume 12, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 331-352

Factors Influencing the Acculturation of Burmese, Bhutanese, and Iraqi Refugees Into American Society: Cross-Cultural Comparisons (Article)

Hauck F.R. , Lo E. , Maxwell A. , Reynolds P.P.
  • a Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
  • b University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
  • c University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
  • d Division of General Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States

Abstract

We examined the acculturation experiences of Burmese, Bhutanese, and Iraqi refugees living in central Virginia based on the model of acculturation developed by J. W. Berry. We identified themes in examining the effects of English language proficiency, level of social support, financial stability, and expectations about and satisfaction with life in the United States on acculturative stress. Language difficulty and barriers to accessing education, employment opportunities, and health care caused stress in all cultural groups. Nearly all refugees were happy they had immigrated due to the personal freedom, safety, and hope for the future they found in the United States. © 2014 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Social support barriers to health care Stress Refugees Acculturation

Index Keywords

education Iraq Acculturation social network Asian immigrant refugee language Myanmar Bhutan Virginia health care quality of life United States
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906346338&doi=10.1080%2f15562948.2013.848007&partnerID=40&md5=ed4cfd7a61cda6aec22b01ff47313af7
DOI: 10.1080/15562948.2013.848007
ISSN: 15562948
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English