Abstract
This study sought to address the gaps in the literature on Asian American gerontology with a multiply marginalized group in terms of gender, immigration status, and context. Guided by a multiple case study approach, we sought to explore how social support was experienced by four Vietnamese elderly refugee women residing in different living arrangements (i.e., alone, with spouse, with adult children, or in a multigenerational household). Within-case analyses were conducted to yield descriptive information about each individual. Additionally, three overarching themes emerged across each of the living arrangements: (1) Burden of care-taking, (2) Distinguishing family from nonfamily help, and (3) Ambivalence toward government-sponsored services. Our findings provide a contextualized understanding of social support to explain the inconsistencies that have been found in the literature on Asian American gerontology and family support. The benefits of living alone are described, along with the potential risks of coresidency.
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Appendix
Appendix
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1.
Can you please tell me about yourself? (Icebreaker Question)
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2.
Could you describe a typical day?
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3.
Tell me about your experiences in this living arrangement? (alone, with spouse, with child, in multigenerational household)
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4.
How does this living arrangement support/not support you?
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Do you feel that you are supported/not supported as a person?
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Is there anything else you would like to tell me?
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Wang, S.C., Creswell, J.W. & Nguyen, D. Vietnamese Refugee Elderly Women and Their Experiences of Social Support: A Multiple Case Study. J Cross Cult Gerontol 32, 479–496 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-017-9338-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-017-9338-0