Pa Nhia Xiong, MSW

California State University, Fresno

May 2015

RESILIENCY AMONG HMONG WOMEN WHO WERE TEEN MOTHERS

Background on Teen Pregnancy & Parenting

• Social Problem in society• Negative Statistics & Outcomes • High School Dropouts• Higher Rates of Juvenile Delinquency• Substance Abuse / Mental Health Issues• Poverty / Homelessness• Welfare Dependents• Child Welfare Involvement• The Cycle of Poverty from generation to generation

• Occurs between ages 15 – 19 years old

Teen Pregnancy & Parenting Data

• In 2012, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Research:

• 116,212 babies were born in the U.S.• Female teenagers 15 -19• Asian/Pacific Islander Race = 11,981 (10.3%) babies • California Alone – 4,385 babies born to teens of all ethnic groups

Theoretical Framework1) Resiliency Theory

• Resilience is defined as:

• “The ability to successfully cope or bounce back regardless of substantial adversity.” (Earvolino-Ramirez, 2007).

• “The ability to bounce back from adversity; there is hope embedded in adversity and to believe in oneself that something positive will result from misfortunes.” (Dyer & McGuinness, 1996).

• “The ability to recover from illness, change, or misfortune.” (The American Heritage Dictionary, p. 1534).

Theoretical Framework• The Strength-Based Approach• Our Clients – stressed, voiceless, oppressed, abused, neglected

• “To examine and build upon their skills and abilities to

survive against great challenges, gain knowledge, access resources, obtain goals, and require desires in life that may contribute to their success.” (Early & GlenMaye, 2000).

• “It is believed that humans have the capacity to grow, change, and adapt in life.” (Early & GlenMaye, 2000).

• “Social Workers need to listen, understand, validate, and honor the clients’ strengths and build upon it.” (Early & GlenMaye, 2000).

Theoretical Framework

• Self-Efficacy Theory• “Individuals’ beliefs in the capacity to successfully accomplish given

tasks and the impact that self-belief have on motivation and achievement.” (Bandura, 1993; Martin & Dowson, 2009).

• “Personal self-efficacy is a strong factor in determining how a person thinks, feel, behave, motivate themselves, and how he/she functions in society.” (Schultz, 2014).

• Academic Self-Efficacy• “Individuals who trust their capacities and efforts are more willing to

try harder and put forth more effort toward academic achievement.” (Jamal, 2014)

• “It is not about the amount of skills that individuals have but it is how they use their existing skills to enhance their future.” (Jamal, 2014).

Empirical Literature• Hmong Women’s Pursuit of Higher Education (Huster, 2012)• 1990 – 2000 Census Data on Hmong students:

1) HS Graduation Rate – 11% to 27%

2) Bachelor’s Degree – 3% to 12%

3) Master’s Degree – 1.5%

• 2010 Census Data on Hmong students:1) Associate/Bachelor’s Degree – 25.9%2) Master’s Degree – over 3%

• Hmong women are pursuing/achieving higher education despite academic and personal challenges in America.

Empirical Literature

• The Challenges of Hmong Early Marriages and Cultural Dilemmas (Vang & Her, 2014).

• The purpose of early marriages

• Cultural Norms

• Expectations of Hmong females

• “Old Mates”

• Factors that Prevent Hmong Women from Obtaining Higher Education (Vue, 2007).

• Discrimination/Stereotyping

• Educational System – Teacher/Student/Classroom Segregation

• Cultural Challenges

Purpose• Fill in the gap misinformation about minority teen mothers

•Highlight resiliency of minority teen mothers

• Empower minority teen mothers to have a voice in society

• Reduce and/or eliminate societal stereotypes about teen mothers

Research Questions

1) How do Hmong teen mothers become resilient against all odds?

2) What are the barriers to resiliency among Hmong teen mothers?

3) How does teen motherhood impact and shape Hmong women’s overall quality of life?

Research Design & Methods• A qualitative research method – Phenomenological Framework

• Utilized a combination of snowball sampling and recruitment flyers

• Non-structured face-to-face & one-on-one interviews (1-2 hrs)

• Interviews were audiotaped

• Voluntary participation – Each received Incentives:• A $10 Starbucks Gift card• A copy of the Thesis

Findings

•Demographics:• 10 Hmong Females – Fresno County• Mothers before age 20• 3 Participants – between ages 18-28• 7 Participants – between ages 29-39• 8 were born in the U.S.• 2 were born in Thailand/Laos• 10 were culturally married• Education levels• Family Income

Themes• Traditional Family and Cultural Expectations• The experiences of Becoming Teen Mothers• Initial Reaction to 1st Pregnancy• Proving Society Wrong• Challenges of Being A Teen Mother• Role Models• Goals That Were Put On Hold• Most Rewarding Aspects In their Lives•What Would They Change About Their Life Journeys?

Support Systems

•Husband•Family Members (Biological and Extended)•WIC•Public Assistance Programs• Social Workers/Job Specialist

•School Districts

Discussion• Parental & cultural expectations• Balancing traditional Hmong & Western cultures•Driving forces & motivation• The American dream• Asian physicians VS other ethnic physicians•Husbands’ putting their education on hold• The reverse of gender roles within their marriage

Discussion Continued

•2 Main Barriers to resiliency 1) Lack of financial support & resiliency-based

programs 2) Lack of childcare centers on school campuses

Limitations• Small sample size – 10 participants• Fresno County residence only• All participants were culturally married, no unwed participant•Hmong women only

Implications for Social Work Practice

•Micro Level• Culturally Sensitive Social Workers

•Mezzo Level• Programs need to be strength-based

•Macro Level• Funding Sources• Policy Changes

• Child Welfare System• Foster youths• AB12 • Family Finding Programs

Recommendations for Future Research

•More research on teen mothers’ positive achievements•More qualitative research/studies•More future studies among diverse groups and both gender• Advocate for resiliency-based programs for teen parents and their children• Promote resiliency among teen parents• Educate/Reduce/Eliminate stereotypes & discrimination

Motivational Quote

•“Never stop dreaming because once you do, your future stops. Everyday, find the courage to put one foot in front of the other because the road seems bumpy and long...but once

you’re there...it’s worth it.”