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.
Recommended Citation
Saldana-Alvarez, Melissa, "THE CHALLENGES OF ACCULTURATING IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY: IMMIGRANTS OF LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES" (2020). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1000.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1000