Migration can cause disruption to the normal functioning of the family; especially
women and mothers. In this study a cross sectional approach, using both quantitative
and qualitative methodologies was undertaken to establish the impact of migration
on women fiom the United Kingdom (UK) and Eire (N=154) now living in
Australia; from these participants 40 were selected for in-depth interview. Women
were asked about their experiences of migration and the strategies used to 'settle' in
a new country. The researcher postulated that the process of settlement requires a reinvention
of the self through building new perceptions of culture, country, friends,
and family and the re-definition of the self in relation to these aspects of the
environment. A conceptual model was developed and used to determine and
examine the relationships amongst who and what influenced the decision and
motivation to migrate, the impact of exposure to a new culture, assault on the old
identity and the possible grieving response to the impact of multiple loss (loss of
home, major attachment figure, family, community, culture and social networks).
Bowlby's attachment theory and grieving process was used as a theoretical
framework for the study. Data analysis inQcated that the majority of the women
experienced at least some of the characteristics associated with the stages of the
grieving process and the time-scale and pathway through the process differed
amongst individuals. Women who successfully reached the final stage (reorganisation) of the grieving process were able to "re-invent" themselves using pre
and post-migration strategies (social, cultural and country activities). Participants
who were less able in this transformation or re-invention used more solitary
strategies. Different levels of a sense of belonging and success in re-inventing the
self were linked to the different motivations for migrating. Inability to reach the
stage of re-organisation, even after residency of 20 years or more, resulted in
negative perceptions of the adopted country and continuing psychological distress.
However, even those participants who successfully re-invented themselves
continued to foster a residual link to the homeland. This is interpreted to be the
result of a form of imprinting. Furthermore, women with newborns or young
children identified that the impact of multiple loss, especially loss of a social support
system, had a detrimental impact on their childrearing experiences.
The study has implications for future migrants in assisting them to adjust and
survive in the new country. It also has implications for health professionals to
recognise that all mothers and perhaps especially migrant mothers require a social
support network. Further, the health professional needs to be a part of that network
and also assist the migrant to develop the appropriate shlls to extend their social
support. In addition, immigration and social services and the general population
should recognise and provide for the psychological and physical needs of migrants
of all origrns - English speaking as well as non-English speaking.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/221891 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | c.ward@curtin.edu.au, Catherine Hall Ward |
| Publisher | Murdoch University |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | http://www.murdoch.edu.au/goto/CopyrightNotice, Copyright Catherine Hall Ward |
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