Date of Award

1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Art

First Advisor

Patrick Openlander

Second Advisor

Maxine Gilner

Third Advisor

Jesse Harris

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the acculturation of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants . 44 refugees and 19 immigrants residing in St . Louis, Missouri (city and county) participated in the study. Subjects were administered the Cultural Identity Questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 . Demographic information was obtained using a data sheet.

The obtained scores were analyzed using the t-test statistic for equality of means . The independent variables were political status (refugee or immigrant) . The dependent variables were scores on the Cultural Identity Questionnaire for acculturation, and anxiety, depression and total score of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25.

Four aspects of acculturation were analyzed in this research. The language/employment issues, social environment, cultural identification and psychological vulnerabilities of refugees and immigrants.

The t-test for equality of means for acculturation scores on the Cultural Identity Questionnaire showed significant differences in acculturation for refugees and immigrants . Refugees scored higher, meaning their acculturation level was higher than those of immigrants.

There were no significant differences in anxiety scores of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist -25 .

The depression (and the total scores) of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 showed significant differences between refugees and immigrants . Immigrants participated in this study were more susceptible to depression than refugees.

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