IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jscscx/v9y2020i2p17-d320524.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Akosah-Twumasi

    (College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Faith Alele

    (College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Amy M. Smith

    (College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Theophilus I. Emeto

    (College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Daniel Lindsay

    (College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Komla Tsey

    (College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia)

  • Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli

    (College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia)

Abstract

Pre-existing acculturation models have focused on individual orientation and may not be fully applicable to African migrants due to their strong connection to family. In this study, we utilised qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore how 22 migrant families from eight sub-Saharan African representative countries: Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe, who now reside in Townsville, Australia experienced the acculturation process. Data were analysed at the family unit level using the three steps of grounded theory method: open, axial and selective coding. The theory derived illustrates that the acculturation process involves two major phases (maintaining core moral values and attaining a sense of belonging) within which six categories were identified. Three of the categories were related to deeply held heritage values and beliefs (family relationships, societal expectations and cultural norms), while the other three (religious beliefs, socio-economic gains and educational values) indicated integration with the host culture. These categories constitute central concerns for the participants and demonstrate what matters to them as a family unit and not as individuals. We conclude that a selective process of “prioritising family needs” determines the acculturation strategy of sub-Saharan African migrant families, aiding the fulfilment of their migration goals, ensuring effective functioning of the family unit, and enabling them to be productive members of their local community.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Akosah-Twumasi & Faith Alele & Amy M. Smith & Theophilus I. Emeto & Daniel Lindsay & Komla Tsey & Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli, 2020. "Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-16, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:9:y:2020:i:2:p:17-:d:320524
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/9/2/17/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/9/2/17/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wanasika, Isaac & Howell, Jon P. & Littrell, Romie & Dorfman, Peter, 2011. "Managerial Leadership and Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 234-241, April.
    2. Mattoo, Aaditya & Neagu, Ileana Cristina & Özden, Çaglar, 2008. "Brain waste? Educated immigrants in the US labor market," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 255-269, October.
    3. repec:ces:ifodic:v:15:y:2017:i:3:p:50000000000049 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Nidhi Wali & Andre M N Renzaho, 2018. "“Our riches are our family”, the changing family dynamics & social capital for new migrant families in Australia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Brandon D. Lundy & Kezia Darkwah, 2018. "Measuring Community Integration of Lusophone West African Immigrant Populations Through Needs Assessment, Human Security, and Realistic Conflict Theory," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 513-526, May.
    6. Sandra Sequeira & Nathan Nunn & Nancy Qian, 2017. "Migrants and the Making of America: The Shortand Long-Run Effects of Immigration During the Age of Mass Migration," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 15(03), pages 30-34, October.
    7. Kyle F Davis & Paolo D'Odorico & Francesco Laio & Luca Ridolfi, 2013. "Global Spatio-Temporal Patterns in Human Migration: A Complex Network Perspective," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Peter Akosah-Twumasi & Faith Alele & Amy M. Smith & Theophilus I. Emeto & Daniel Lindsay & Komla Tsey & Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli, 2021. "Correction: Akosah-Twumasi, Peter, et al. 2020. Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia. Social Sciences 9 : 17," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-1, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Anghel, Remus Gabriel & Botezat, Alina & Cosciug, Anatolie & Manafi, Ioana & Roman, Monica, 2016. "International migration, return migration, and their effects. A comprehensive review on the Romanian case," MPRA Paper 75528, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Dec 2016.
    2. Simone Bertoli & Hillel Rapoport, 2015. "Heaven's Swing Door: Endogenous Skills, Migration Networks, and the Effectiveness of Quality-Selective Immigration Policies," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 117(2), pages 565-591, April.
    3. Léa Marchal & Clément Nedoncelle, 2019. "Immigrants, occupations and firm export performance," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 1480-1509, November.
    4. Valentine Fays & Benoît Mahy & François Ryckx, 2024. "Do migrants displace native-born workers on the labour market? The impact of workers’ origin," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2024004, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    5. Sharron Xuanren Wang & Arthur Sakamoto, 2021. "Can Higher Education Ameliorate Racial/Ethnic Disadvantage? An Analysis of the Wage Assimilation of College-Educated Hispanic Americans," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, April.
    6. Sharpe, Jamie & Bollinger, Christopher R., 2020. "Who competes with whom? Using occupation characteristics to estimate the impact of immigration on native wages," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    7. Timothy J. Hatton & Zachary Ward, 2024. "International Migration in the Atlantic Economy 1850–1940," Springer Books, in: Claude Diebolt & Michael Haupert (ed.), Handbook of Cliometrics, edition 3, pages 507-535, Springer.
    8. Nejad, Maryam Naghsh & Schurer, Stefanie, 2022. "Cognitive and non-cognitive abilities of immigrants: New perspectives on migrant quality from a selective immigration country," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 107-124.
    9. Frederic DOCQUIER & Çaglar OZDEN & Giovanni PERI, 2010. "The Wage Effects of Immigration and Emigration," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2010044, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    10. Melissa Dell & Benjamin A Olken, 2020. "The Development Effects of the Extractive Colonial Economy: The Dutch Cultivation System in Java," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 87(1), pages 164-203.
    11. Sari Pekkala Kerr & William R. Kerr, 2021. "Whose Job Is It Anyway? Coethnic Hiring in New US Ventures," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 15(1), pages 86-127.
    12. Brezis Elise S., 2019. "Should individuals migrate before acquiring education or after? A new model of Brain Waste vs. Brain Drain," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 19(2), pages 1-11, June.
    13. Edo Anthony, 2015. "The Impact of Immigration on Native Wages and Employment," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 15(3), pages 1151-1196, July.
    14. Izza Mafruhah & Waridin Waridin & Deden Dinar Iskandar & Mudjahirin Thohir, 2019. "Social Engineering Strategy of Entrepreneurship Behavior of Indonesian Migrant Workers During the Placement Period," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(2), pages 50-60.
    15. Adnan, Wifag & Zhang, Jonathan & Zheng, Angela, 2023. "Intergenerational Mobility of Immigrants by Refugee Status: An Analysis of Linked Landing Files and Tax Records," IZA Discussion Papers 16471, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    16. Francesco Cinnirella & Jochen Streb, 2017. "Religious Tolerance as Engine of Innovation," CESifo Working Paper Series 6797, CESifo.
    17. D. Woods & A. Cunningham & C. E. Utazi & M. Bondarenko & L. Shengjie & G. E. Rogers & P. Koper & C. W. Ruktanonchai & E. zu Erbach-Schoenberg & A. J. Tatem & J. Steele & A. Sorichetta, 2022. "Exploring methods for mapping seasonal population changes using mobile phone data," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, December.
    18. Alvaro Gonzalez & Luc Christiaensen & David Robalino, 2019. "Migration and Jobs," World Bank Publications - Reports 31807, The World Bank Group.
    19. Pille Motsmees & Jaan Masso & Raul Eamets, 2013. "The Effect of Migration Experience on Occupational Mobility in Estonia," Discussion Papers 14, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).
    20. repec:sph:rjedep:v:4:y:2017:i:6:p:29-40 is not listed on IDEAS
    21. Oliver Himmler & Robert Jäckle, 2018. "Literacy and the Migrant–Native Wage Gap," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 64(3), pages 592-625, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:9:y:2020:i:2:p:17-:d:320524. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.