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Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 4/2013

01-08-2013 | Original Paper

Shifts in Hmong Culture: Competing Medical Frameworks

Authors: Lisa Franzen-Castle, Chery Smith

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 4/2013

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine how language contraction, acculturation, and perception of modernity impact medicinal practices among younger and older generations of Hmong. Focus groups were conducted with newly immigrated and well established Hmong adults (n = 69) and children (n = 68) in St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN, USA. Dominant themes were language contraction and cultural loss, with subthemes on household dynamics, the educational system, and Western versus traditional Hmong medicinal practices. As younger generations acculturate to the United States (US) environment, there is potential for a restructuring of their medical culture resulting in a loss or silencing of pertinent cultural information regarding traditional medicine and therapies. The information from this study will be useful for educators, community leaders and health professionals to better understand changes occurring within the Hmong culture as traditions and cultural practices acculturate to the US environment.
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Metadata
Title
Shifts in Hmong Culture: Competing Medical Frameworks
Authors
Lisa Franzen-Castle
Chery Smith
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9659-6

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