Dimensions of Informal Support Network Development in an Asian American Community in the New South: a Grounded Theory
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Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2013 DIMENSIONS OF INFORMAL SUPPORT NETWORK DEVELOPMENT IN AN ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE NEW SOUTH: A GROUNDED THEORY Suzie Weng Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Social Work Commons © The Author Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2983 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © Suzie S. Weng 2013 All Rights Reserved DIMENSIONS OF INFORMAL SUPPORT NETWORK DEVELOPMENT IN AN ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE NEW SOUTH: A GROUNDED THEORY A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University by SUZIE S. WENG B.A. in History, Bowdoin College, 2001 M.S.W., Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Director: DR. MARY KATHERINE O’CONNOR PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia April, 2013 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my husband Sam who has given me unconditional love and support. iii Acknowledgements I am grateful to so many people who have supported me throughout my doctoral study. First and foremost, I am deeply indebted to my advisor and dissertation chair, Dr. Mary Katherine O’Connor for her wisdom and guidance throughout the dissertation process. This dissertation would not have been possible without you. I have never been pushed this hard to precision and exquisiteness, I am so proud of what we have produced. Thank you for challenging me and making me a scholar. There are others who have been directly involved with my dissertation who I must thank. I would like to thank my committee members Dr. Youngmi Kim, Dr. Peter Nguyen, and Dr. Rosalie Corona for their insightful feedback during the dissertation process. In addition to my committee, I’m thankful for a few great friends for their support. Dr. Justin Lee for being my peer reviewer. Eric Lin for being my cultural interpreter. Ka Fei Wong for editorial assistance. Thanks also to Jacqueline Robinson, Warren Taylor Wolfe, and David Reiker for their research assistance. Lastly, I greatly appreciate the Richmond Asian American community for allowing me to be part of the community and assisting with my research. I sincerely hope this study is of value to you and I will miss being a part of it. I am also grateful to Dr. Ellen Netting for her advice and mentorship throughout my doctoral experience. Thank you for guiding me through the ups and downs and always being so positive and giving me a different perspective. I would like to express my appreciation to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work and the Council on Social Work Education’s Minority Fellowship Program for the support and funding of my doctoral studies. Finally, I would like to thank my family for their love and understanding of my absence during these last few years. My mom and brother Raymond for your unconditional love and trust in my decision to go into social work. My Swiderski family for your belief in me. Lastly, my husband Sam for your unwavering support and encouragement. Without it, I would not have pursued a doctoral degree when I did. This is my standing ovation for you. Suzie S. Weng April 2013 Richmond, Virginia iv Table of Contents Page List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. x Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... xi Chapter I - Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Rationale for the Study ....................................................................................................... 3 Focus of Current Study ....................................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study for Social Work ....................................................................... 15 Chapter II - Literature Review ...................................................................................................... 18 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 18 Asian Americans ............................................................................................................... 21 Heterogeneity ........................................................................................................ 25 Migration............................................................................................................... 26 Move to the South ................................................................................................. 29 Ethnic Identity ................................................................................................................... 32 Group Membership & Attitudes Toward One’s Ethnic Group ............................. 35 Acculturation......................................................................................................... 37 Cultural Values ..................................................................................................... 39 Giving Back .......................................................................................................... 42 Model Minority Myth & Need for Service ....................................................................... 43 Helping Pattern Frameworks ............................................................................................ 45 Formal Services ................................................................................................................ 47 Formal Services Utilization .................................................................................. 47 Help-Seeking Behavior Related to Formal Services ............................................ 50 Culturally Sensitive Practice ................................................................................. 53 Social Support ................................................................................................................... 55 Informal Social Support ........................................................................................ 60 Asian Specific Social Support .............................................................................. 63 v Informal Support Networks .............................................................................................. 66 Moving from Informal to Formal ..................................................................................... 75 Congregations ....................................................................................................... 75 Ethnic-Specific Services ....................................................................................... 77 Asian-Specific Agency Formation ........................................................................ 80 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 83 Chapter III - Methodology ............................................................................................................ 88 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 88 Varieties of Grounded Theory .......................................................................................... 89 Design ............................................................................................................................... 92 Sampling ............................................................................................................... 92 Data Collection ..................................................................................................... 96 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................ 99 Rigor ............................................................................................................................... 112 Prior Ethnography & Prolong Engagement ........................................................ 114 Clarifying Researcher Bias through Memoing & Methodological Journaling ... 115 Visual Aids.......................................................................................................... 116 Member Checking ............................................................................................... 117 Peer Reviewer ..................................................................................................... 117 Cultural Interpreter.............................................................................................. 118 Products........................................................................................................................... 121 Needs/Resources Matrices .................................................................................