This study examines the life conditions of Vietnamese refugees resettled in Turku in order to understand the nature and pattern of their social adaptation. The research was qualitative and based on in-depth interviews of 57 adults. The heterogeneous refugee group comprises highly cohesive sub-groups exhibiting interaction characteristics very similar to extended family interaction: intensity of contacts with responsibility-type roles, as well as deep informal involvement in times of crisis. Sub-groups seem Imprinted with the structure and roles of the extended family. The ethnic group seems to be rebuilding the traditional support network in the resettlement environment, guided by role-related selection criteria. High intra-group interaction indicates maintainance of cultural and group social identity. Secondary contacts occurred in the workplace, at school and with 'friend families'. Thus, on the basis of Berry's (1988) acculturation model, the adaptation pattern of the Vietnamese group was found to be that of integration. © 1994 Oxford University Press.

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Vietnamese refugees interaction characteristics Finland, Turku social adaptation