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University of Alberta Cross-Cultural Adaptation Strategies of South University of Alberta Cross-cultural Adaptation Strategies of South Asian Family-sponsored Spouses by Taooz Yousaf A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in Psychological Studies in Education Department of Educational Psychology ©Taooz Yousaf Spring 2014 Edmonton, Alberta Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission. Abstract South Asians in Canada are increasingly using the Family Class immigration category to sponsor spouses from their home countries. This qualitative study examined the steps family-sponsored spouses and their sponsors or family members have taken to facilitate their linguistic, economic, social, and cultural integration in Canada. Second, the role cultural community and religious organizations play in facilitating the adaptation of these individuals was explored. Five sponsored spouses from India and Pakistan who had been living in Canada for up to five years were interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results highlighted that participants who received their Canadian spouse's support had positive adaptation experiences compared to those who did not receive support. Participants took active steps to learn English, Canadian culture, and used community social networks and organizations to adjust to, learn about, and become independent in Canada. Implications for families, education, and government policy are discussed. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to thank Allah for giving me the ability to learn, achieve knowledge, and successfully complete my studies. I would like pay heartfelt thanks to my supervisor, Dr. Noorfarah Merali for her continuous guidance and support throughout my studies. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a generous and knowledgeable scientist. I would also thank my parents, brothers, and sister for the motivation they provided and always being there for me. I would also thank my husband for his cooperation and continuous support, especially near the end of my studies. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1 The South Asian Population in Canada ................................................................................. 1 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................ 4 Canadian Immigration Categories.......................................................................................... 6 The Economic Class ................................................................................................................ 6 Federal skilled workers. ..................................................................................................... 7 Business immigrants. ......................................................................................................... 8 Canadian Experience Class.................................................................................................9 Provincial/Territorial nominees.......................................................................................... 9 Live-in caregivers. .............................................................................................................. 9 Family Class Category ............................................................................................................ 10 Refugees.................................................................................................................................... 12 Refugees landed in Canada. ............................................................................................. 13 Government-assisted refugees. ......................................................................................... 13 Privately sponsored refugees. ........................................................................................... 13 Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds ........................................................................ 13 The History of South Asian Immigration to Canada .......................................................... 14 Reasons for South Asian Migration to Canada ..................................................................... 17 Canada’s Multicultural Policy and its Objectives around Integration ............................. 18 Overview of Thesis ................................................................................................................. 20 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................. 21 South Asian Cultural Values, Orientations, and Belief System ......................................... 22 Transporting Cultural Values Across International Borders ................................................. 23 Adaptation and Acculturation ............................................................................................... 25 Acculturation Strategies ........................................................................................................ 26 Adaptation as a Broad-level Process – Linguistic, Socio-cultural, and Economic ........... 28 Linguistic Adaptation ......................................................................................................... 29 Socio-cultural Adaptation .................................................................................................. 31 South Asian identity development model. ....................................................................... 32 Canadian integration index. .............................................................................................. 35 Economic Adaptation .......................................................................................................... 37 Support Systems to Facilitate Immigrant Integration ........................................................ 38 Adjustment and Integration of Sponsored Spouses Versus Other Immigrants ..................... 40 Statement of the Problem....................................................................................................... 42 Research Questions ............................................................................................................... 45 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 46 Research Approach: Focused Ethnography ........................................................................ 46 Participant Selection and Recruitment................................................................................. 47 Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria ............................................................................................. 47 Self-identification as being of South Asian heritage. ....................................................... 47 Marriage took place in South Asia and sponsored by their Canadian spouse. ................. 48 Married at the time of the study. ...................................................................................... 48 Length of residence in Canada. ........................................................................................ 49 Recruitment Process .......................................................................................................... 49 Participant Profiles ............................................................................................................ 50 The Interview Process ............................................................................................................ 54 Data Transcription, Analysis and Interpretation Process .................................................. 59 Data Recording and Transcription ........................................................................................ 59 Analysis Strategy................................................................................................................... 60 Reflexive Dimensions .............................................................................................................. 61 Rigour ...................................................................................................................................... 63 Ethical Issues ......................................................................................................................... 65 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS……………...…………….………………………………………69 Emerging Themes ................................................................................................................... 69 Spouse/Family-Initiated Adaptation and Integration Strategies ....................................... 69 Spousal Roles In “Immigration Preparedness” ..................................................................... 69 Spouses and Family Members as
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