Asian Immigrant Parents' Role Enactment While Accessing and Using Services for Their Child With Developmental Disabilities in the United States: A Meta-Synthesis Study. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hwang, I-Ting; Kramer, Jessica M.; Cohn, Ellen S.; Barnes, Linda L.
• Is Part Of: Qualitative health research. Volume 30:Number 11(2020)
• Page Start: 1632
• Page End: 1646
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: rehabilitation -- caregivers -- families -- parenting -- culture -- acculturation -- developmental disability -- trust -- health care disparities -- immigrants -- theory development -- qualitative -- meta-synthesis -- United States; Health -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Health -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 610.7205
• DOI: 10.1177/1049732320926138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7323

Abstract

We conducted a meta-synthesis to explore how Asian immigrant parents in the United States enact their perceived parental role while using health and educational services for their child with developmental disabilities. We identified 11 qualitative studies for analysis, and examined these studies using a constant comparative approach and thematic analysis informed by role theory and acculturation theory. Based on our analysis, five themes related to parents' role enactment emerged: (a) parents perceive a multifaceted parental role; (b) parents' individual factors influence their role enactment; (c) system factors influence parents' role enactment; (d) parents use coping strategies to address role dissatisfaction; and (e) parental role enactment is a continuously evolving process influenced by acculturation, which spirals them toward their ultimate goal of helping their child thrive. Findings can inform practitioners' and researchers' understanding of how to create a culturally safe environment to support Asian immigrant parents in realizing their parental role.