Date of Award

6-2020

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Barragan, Armando

Abstract

This study intends to identify the barriers that may impede new immigrants from successfully acculturating in the United States. The researcher collected qualitative data through audio-recorded face-to-face-interviews with the participants. Participants were recruited through a local agency that provides a number of services to immigrant in the community. Data collected was transcribed and analyzed for the development of categories of individual, family, group, organizational, and community involvement in the lives of new immigrants who attempt to acculturate in this country. The research findings reveal the need for mental health, medical, and educational services, and workshops about rights and laws in the U.S. among the U.S. immigrant population. The following themes were discussed: participant adverse experiences in home country and in U.S., participant strength of social and family ties, financial stressors, participant marital status, participant ability to cope, feelings of optimism, and potential for mental health illnesses. The findings can inform social workers about how to implement interventions and policy advocacy to address the specific needs of the immigrant population in both a micro and macro sense. The research findings were provided to California State University, San Bernardino and to the study site where participants were recruited.

Included in

Social Work Commons

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