Abstract
Purpose: This study explores the experiences and adjustment process among older Bhutanese refugees resettled in the United States and identifies their unmet health and social service needs. Design: This phenomenological study design included the conduction of nine in-depth semistructured interviews in the respondents’ native language. The researchers adhered to the steps outlined by Moustakas for data analysis. Results: The five identified themes included the following: a better life but with little sorrows, cultural tensions related to adaptation, language as a barrier to success in the United States, isolation and loneliness, and worries about citizenship and its impact on the future. Discussion/Implications for Practice: Psychological adjustment to life in the United States can have profound impact on the health of Bhutanese older adults. Nurses and health care providers should integrate culturally congruent health care, raise awareness of the unique needs, and advocate for policy changes that will benefit this group of older adult refugees whose lives have frequently been upended.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 165-171 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Transcultural Nursing |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The study was funded by a grant from the Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, © The Author(s) 2017.
Keywords
- Bhutanese
- older adults
- qualitative study
- quality of life
- refugee