First-Generation Iranian Refugees’ Acculturation in the United States: A Focus on Resilience

Keywords

Refugees, Iranians, Mass trauma, Resiliency, Acculturation

Abstract

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the struggles and strengths of acculturation for first-generation Iranian refugees dealing with mass trauma in the United States, using the family resiliency framework lens. Transcendental phenomenology qualitative research approach developed by Moustakas (Phenomenological research methods, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1994) interpreted the interviews collected from 10 participants (five males, five females) who were first-generation Iranian refugees in the United States. The four essential themes that emerged from the transcriptions were: (a) Forced to leave home country because of persecution; (b) Culture shock in the U.S.; (c) Acculturation Process; and (d) Strengths and Resiliencies. Results of this study highlighted the importance of acculturation for first-generation Iranian refugees in the United States. It would be helpful for clinicians to be educated and aware of the mass trauma phenomenon that first-generation Iranian refugees experienced when they were forced to leave their home country and started a new life in the United States.

Original Publication Citation

Hormozi, T., Miller, M., Banford Witting, A. (2018). First-generation Iranian refugees’acculturation in the United States: A focus on resiliency. Contemporary Family Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-018-9459-9

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018-02-15

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5331

Publisher

Contemporary Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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