Abstract

Many refugees from Burma (renamed Myanmar) resettled in the U.S. in recent years; however, they are largely unknown to the American public care system. This dissertation aimed to increase understanding of their unique existence and life trajectory and provide a groundwork to identify an effective way to assist their quest to secure health and well-being in their host communities. Guided by Max Weber's Interpretive Sociology and Ideal Type construct principles, this study investigated the Burma refugee’s particular sociodemographic characteristics, narratives of enduring refugee debilitating conditions across multiple contexts, and life adaptations. The sampled Burma refugees comprised 36 former and current refugee adults who resettled in North Carolina. Eight additional key informants contributed to the fuller contextual knowledge of this group’s resettlement trajectory. Albeit to varying degrees, this culturally heterogeneous group commonly tolerated chronic cases of marginalization, even in a Western context. Notably, their communal sharing of resources to sustain each other was noteworthy. The rapidly growing community-led continuum of refugee care was instrumental in their resettlement progression. While there remain many concerns for unmet resettlement needs and health and behavioral health consequences among this group, better-adjusted Burma refugees and local champions from the host community modeled a particular pathway to make a difference for this refugee group. The findings provide valuable data for equity stakeholders to further spread social and health equity resources for this group and beyond.

LLU Discipline

Social Work and Social Ecology

Department

Social Work and Social Ecology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Qais Alemi

Second Advisor

Susan Nakaoka

Third Advisor

Hafifa Shabaik

Fourth Advisor

Carl Stempel

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2024

Date (Title Page)

8-2024

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Refugees -- Health and hygiene -- North Carolina; Refugees -- Mental health; Burmese Americans -- Health and hygiene; Medical care -- Utilization; Burma -- Emigration and immigration -- Political aspects

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

xv, 243 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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