Bicultural Adaptation Theory

Qin et al. (2015) used two theories—bicultural adaptation theory and the theory of emerging adulthood—to support their study on Sudanese young adult refugees and their adaptation to life in the United States. They observed that many studies have explored how refugee youths adapt to their new life with parental support, but they could not find any studies on those refugees who came to the United States without parental accompaniment (p. 214). For the PhD student, this represents a gap in the empirical literature; therefore, a PhD student may make a claim that their dissertation study would fill this gap. For a DSW student, this observation could lead them to explore the social work practice implications of the effects of refugee youths leaving their native homelands and adapting to a new environment without their parents. Remember, a PhD dissertation is designed to address a gap or an area that has yet to be addressed in the social work body of knowledge. A DSW capstone project’s purpose is to inform and/or improve social work practice.

In exploring how these Sudanese emerging adults adapt, Qin et al. conducted a study with interpretivist epistemological underpinnings. In this Discussion, you have the opportunity to review the themes (qualitative findings) they extracted from the interviews (on pages 223–232) and their write-up of these themes in a narrative that tells a story of these youths’ experiences.

As you review the study’s findings for this Discussion, keep in mind the axiological assumption of interpretivism and how the researchers’ own experiences, biases, worldviews, and beliefs would influence how the data is analyzed and interpreted. Because interpretivism allows for multiple, equally valid realities and acknowledges the subjectivity of the researcher, it is important to assess the methodological rigor in the study used to ensure trustworthiness of the data and analysis (on pages 221–222).

To prepare:

Read the following article listed in the Learning Resources: “’My Culture Helps Me Make Good Decisions:’ Cultural Adaptation of Sudanese Refugee Emerging Adults” from the Journal of Adolescent Research.

Post a response to the following:

• Summarize the assumptions of the bicultural adaptation theory in 1–2 sentences.
• Describe two qualitative findings from the study, and explain how the findings align with bicultural adaptation theory. Provide specific examples of the findings and the pages from the study where you obtained the findings.
• Describe one qualitative finding from the study, and explain how it aligns with the theory of emerging adulthood. Provide a specific example of the finding and the pages where you obtained this finding.
• After reviewing the findings and in light of bicultural adaptation theory, recommend one social work practice implication. This social work practice implication should be guided by bicultural adaptation theory. It should also be sensitive to the needs of emerging adults.
• Identify one bias or personal assumption that may have influenced your interpretation of the findings, and explain how this might impact your social work practice recommendation.