Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Social isolation has been documented as a significant challenge for older adults, including those who are immigrants. The conventional wisdom blames social isolation among older immigrant adults on language barriers, living arrangements, and age at migration, however, this does not allow for analytical clarity on how social isolation interacts with other important risk factors to influence emotional well-being among older African immigrants. This study offers an important contribution to the existing knowledge by examining how social isolation and other risk factors interact to impact emotional well-being among older African immigrants. It uses life course theory, acculturation theory, resilience theory, and cumulative risk theory to identify the relevant stressors or risk factors such as living arrangements, financial satisfaction, acculturation predictors, transportation, and grandchild care. A mixed-methods approach integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods was used in the study. For the collection of quantitative data, 163 participants aged 60 and over completed an online or mailed survey. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze the quantitative data. Findings showed that ethnic social relations and living arrangements had a unique contribution to the social isolation of the participants. Also, social isolation, ethnic social relations, and financial satisfaction significantly influenced the emotional well-being of study participants. For the study’s qualitative data, the researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 11 participants, age 63-79, by telephone. Five major themes were generated from the data using a thematic analysis approach, which included (a) minimal social engagement outside of the home, (b) barriers to social engagement, (c) satisfaction with finances, (d) fewer socialization consequences, and (e) coping strategies. The overall finding showed that the participants lacked social engagement outside of the home, which negatively affected their emotional well-being. Implications for social work practice and policy as well as recommendations were emphasized in the study.

No description available.

This dissertation describes the educational experiences of Congolese immigrant families and their children attending Philadelphia K-12 schools. The objectives of the study were to explore the educational experiences, needs and expectations of Congolese immigrant parents and their children in the U.S., and to confirm which of the many assimilation theories was applicable to this group of immigrants. The study aimed at providing American schools and curriculum developers with knowledge that they can use to meet the needs of this neglected group of immigrants. Although the number of Congolese immigrant families has been increasing in Philadelphia (Lewis Mumford Center, 2000), there is little knowledge and many faulty assumptions about African immigrants, and particularly, Congolese families. Most of what the American public and American teachers know about Congolese and African immigrants is based solely on biased media coverage, old stories, and myths that are not supported by valid research. African immigrants and their children have been especially excluded from educational research (Rong & Brown, 2002). Scholarship about Congolese immigrants from their African perspective is scarce, if not totally lacking. As a result of the lack of research about African immigrants and their children, not only have the special needs of these immigrants been neglected, but Congolese students in American schools continue to be victims of demeaning treatments and attacks, including violent attacks by some American students motivated by ignorance, prejudice, misconceptions and stereotypes (Traore, 2002; The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 2005). If the presence of Congolese immigrant children continues to be overlooked while the African immigrant population grows, many Congolese immigrant children may develop a dislike or disinterest in school which would place them at-risk for underachievement and dropping out (Stringfield & Land, 2002). The growing number of African immigrant children in American schools also poses new and different challenges for American education generally (Traore, 2002). Therefore, research on this group of immigrant children is much needed. A qualitative study using observations, individual and group interviews, and questionnaires was conducted among a group of African immigrants represented by families of Congolese immigrants including their children living in Philadelphia and neighboring areas. The study found that reasons for coming and staying in the U.S., the threat of losing Congolese identity and culture, parental role reversal, stereotypes, and misconceptions were the most important factors related to their children's experience in American schools. The accommodation `without assimilation' theory (Gibson, 1988) was found to be the most appropriate assimilation theory applicable to these Congolese families. This study provides American teachers, educational leaders and curriculum developers with knowledge and insights based on the voices and experiences of Congolese parents and children. This new knowledge and perspectives can be used to meet the educational needs and expectations of Congolese parents and their children who are experiencing schooling in America. / Urban Education

Racial/ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by obesity and other risk factors for chronic diseases. African immigrants are an increasing segment of the U.S. population at greater risk for obesity than other immigrants living in the United States. Public health organizations that aid immigrants could benefit from information about changing dietary patterns. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between dietary acculturation and obesity among African immigrant adults living in the United States, controlling for length of stay, English proficiency, region of residence, and other sociodemographic factors. Acculturation theory guided this study. The research design was quantitative cross-sectional with secondary data from 798 adult immigrants of African origin who completed the New Immigrant Survey. Forward stepwise logistic regression analyses indicated that when controlling for sociodemographic factors, dietary acculturation was a significant predictor of obesity. Language proficiency, income, marital status, childhood living environment, and age were statistically significant predictors of obesity. Findings may be used by clinicians, dieticians, and other health care professionals to develop obesity prevention and control strategies that specifically serve African immigrants to prevent obesity and its associated deadly complications.

L’immigration francophone récente au Manitoba présente des enjeux complexes pour la société manitobaine, et plus particulièrement la société franco-manitobaine. Environ 5 % de la population francophone au Manitoba ne sont pas nés au Canada et la proportion d’étudiants immigrants à l’Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) est presque le double de ceci. Cette recherche explore comment les étudiants immigrants d’origines africaines vivent leur acculturation et l’effet de cette dernière sur leur identité dans le contexte postsecondaire de l’USB. Orientée par une lentille de l’intersectionnalité (Crenshaw (1989, 1991), l’approche méthodologique était qualitative et ethnographique. Les résultats de cette étude offrent un aperçu des perspectives des participantes et participants immigrants africains afin de comprendre leurs expériences de racisme, de sexisme, de défis sociaux et d’évolution identitaire hybride. À la lumière de ces résultats, des recommandations d’accueil et d’intégration des immigrants africains au niveau universitaire sont offertes. / May 2016

<p>This aim of this study was to highlight the major learning perspectives discernible from five adult African immigrants’ experience of learning Swedish as a second language. The focus was on the analysis of the challenges that these immigrants encountered in the learning process and the factors that supported their learning. This study revealed two dominant perspectives in adult African immigrants’ experience of learning Swedish as a second language. These perspectives which hinge on social participation and individual responsibility complement each other and are geared toward the same goals: the acquisition of the Swedish language and integration into the Swedish society.</p>

This aim of this study was to highlight the major learning perspectives discernible from five adult African immigrants’ experience of learning Swedish as a second language. The focus was on the analysis of the challenges that these immigrants encountered in the learning process and the factors that supported their learning. This study revealed two dominant perspectives in adult African immigrants’ experience of learning Swedish as a second language. These perspectives which hinge on social participation and individual responsibility complement each other and are geared toward the same goals: the acquisition of the Swedish language and integration into the Swedish society.

Comment l’immigré maghrébin se perçoit-il à l'âge de la retraite, comment est-ce qu'il qualifie et explique sa qualité de vie et quelle fonction la structure culturelle joue-t-elle dans la définition de son vieillissement ? Voilà les quelques interrogations qui ont guidé notre travail, dont l'objectif était d'étudier le concept de soi et la qualité de vie auprès d’une population d’immigrés maghrébins à l’épreuve du vieillissement. A notre connaissance et après l’interrogation de la base de données Sudoc (http://www.sudoc.abes.fr) et du fichier national des thèses (www.theses.fr/), il s’agit d’une des rares études en psychologie traitant de cette problématique. Notre thèse se compose de deux parties : une partie théorique et une partie empirique. Dans la première nous avons présenté divers théories et repères conceptuels relatifs à l’immigration, l’altérité, la personnalité et le vieillissement. Nous avons ensuite abordé le concept de soi à travers sa dimension consciente (introspective) et auto-descriptive qui permet de mesurer les aspects subjectifs et expérientiels du sujet (L'Ecuyer, 1994). Un autre aspect majeur abordé était celui des agencements théoriques concernant les indicateurs et les propriétés de la qualité de vie externe et interne. La seconde partie présente deux études comparatives. La première portait sur l’exploitation de la méthode GPS (Genèse des perceptions de soi ; L’Ecuyer, 1994) comme modèle de description de soi, dans laquelle nous avons tenté d’introduire la dimension culturelle. Cette étude visait trois groupes de participants (Français, Immigrés Maghrébins et Maghrébins résidants dans le pays d’origine). La seconde étude concernait la mesure de la qualité de vie en lien avec le concept de soi, à travers un questionnaire, auprès d’une population d’immigrés Maghrébins et une autre d’origine française. Cette étude comparative nous a permis d'évaluer la manière dont ces personnes âgées s’adaptent à leurs conditions de vie. Elle a permis de comparer les deux groupes sous l’angle de la satisfaction de vie, du lieu de contrôle, de la solitude sociale et émotionnelle, de la satisfaction conjugale et du soutien social perçu. Nos résultats ont permis ainsi de mettre en exergue les différences et les similitudes entre les participants quant au concept de soi et la qualité de vie. Enfin nous avons tenté dans notre discussion d'explorer le rôle de l’empreinte du système culturel sur le fonctionnement inter, intra et trans-subjectif. / How does the North African immigrant perceive his retirement; how does he describe and explain his quality of life; and what function does the cultural structure play in the self-perceptions of aging? These are some questions that have guided our work, whose aimed to study the self-concept and the quality of life of North African immigrants to the test of ageing. As far as we know, and after consulting the database Sudoc (http://www.sudoc.abes.fr) and the National Index of Theses (www.theses.fr/), it is about one of the fewest studies in psychology dealing with this issue.Our thesis consists of two parts: a theoretical part and an empirical part. In the first one we presented various theories and conceptual references related to immigration, otherness, personality and ageing. Then we discussed the self-concept through its conscious (introspective) and self-reported dimension, which evaluates the subjective and experiential aspects of the self-perceptions (L'Ecuyer, 1994). Another major aspect discussed was the theoretical arrangements on indicators and the properties of the internal and external quality of life. The second part, presents two comparative studies. The first focused on the exploration of the GSP method (Genesis self-perceptions; L'Ecuyer, 1994) as a model of self-description, in which we tried to introduce the cultural dimension. This study targeted three groups of participants (North Africans immigrants, French, and North Africans residents of the home country). The second study included measures of the quality of life in relation to self-concept via a questionnaire administrated to both North Africans immigrants and native-born French elderly. This comparative study allowed us to assess how these old people adapt to their living conditions. It was used to compare the two groups in the light of life satisfaction, locus of control, the social and emotional loneliness, marital satisfaction, and perceived social support. Our results have allowed us to distinguish the differences and the similarities between the participants’ concerning self-concept and quality of life. Finally, we tried in our discussion to explore the role of the cultural system mark on the functioning inter-, intra-and trans-subjective.

Paper title: Transition towards entrepreneurship Purpose: This paper explores and creates understanding regarding the identity transition of West Africa immigrants towards entrepreneurship. Methodology: This study applied a qualitative research method that was exploratory and descriptive in nature. Primary and secondary data were collected and used as sources of information. Primary data were obtained through multiple in-depth interviews strategy; the interviews were designed in a semi-structured format. In total, seven African immigrant entrepreneurs were respondents in this study. Secondary data utilized in this study comprised of information obtained via scientific materials and organizational websites. A convenience sampling method was determined as the appropriate method for selection of entrepreneurs’ sample that was utilized in this study. Key findings: This study found immigrant entrepreneurs to have a tendency to expose themselves to new practices and knowledge within their new environments. West Africa immigrants’ entrepreneurs are tenacious about valuable information in their new environment, they have a tendency to integrate new information to align with their previous work experiences. In the quest for channels to test business ideas acquired or perceived, immigrant entrepreneurs often try out their new ideas on a smaller scale. This study uncovered that a successful trial process tends to persuade immigrants towards entrepreneurship once an opportunity is well established. Immigrant entrepreneurs construct latent attitudes regarding potential new business prospects in order to solidify an entrepreneurial identity. Implication for practice: This study challenges the assertion made in past literatures which expressly concluded that people considered entrepreneurship as a highly professionalized occupation and stated that only few percentage of persons devotedly take the necessary steps to start a business. This study rejects the above argument by offering guidelines to anyone who may have entrepreneurial ideas or objectives but hesitates to make the identity change that is substantial to help create a transition.  Furthermore, revelations in this research showed that setting up a new business venture from scratch is conceivable, this study highlighted some extensive development processes that are essential in generating entrepreneurial identity.  Future research direction: Adequate attention and recognition have not been awarded to West African entrepreneurs in western society, and as well as in previous academic research. In western societies, people still view West African entrepreneurs as second-hand business minded traders. Hence, this study encourages upcoming academia to explore and create emphasis regarding the impact businesses owned by West Africa immigrants’ entrepreneurs produce in our today’s society. In conjunction to the above suggestion, it should be important to highlight useful channels through which our society (especially non-migrants) can support in encouraging and empowering various immigrant entrepreneurs towards growing their businesses in their various communities.

Numerous studies have revealed that immigrants' health and well-being is challenged by an increased susceptibility to diabetes/chronic disease as they settle in the United States. This study investigated a potential association between the incidence of diabetes/chronic disease and various lifestyles factors among Sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees. The lifestyle factors studied were sociodemographics, food practices and dietary habits, access to healthcare and insurance, acculturation, and the length of stay in the United States among these immigrants and refugees residing in Minnesota. The health belief and the socioecological models guided this study to improve understanding of Sub-Saharan African's health behavior and practices. This study was a cross-sectional, quantitative inquiry using data from 71 Sub-Saharan African-born individuals (36 women and 35 men) between 18 and 65 years of age who completed a modified Metro Adult Health Survey Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the participants' increased length of stay in the United States (B = .33, P = .02) was significantly associated with an increased incidence of diabetes/chronic disease. In contrast, participants' acculturation in the United States (B =.09, P =.41) was not significantly associated with the incidence of diabetes/chronic disease. The implication of this study is that immigrants have increased incidence of diabetes/chronic disease with an increasing length of stay in the United States. This study contributes to positive social change by providing knowledge of African immigrant health and incidence of chronic disease useful to public health educators, practitioners and other service providers who seek new direction in improving the health and health outcomes of African-born populations.