Exploring stressors that affect Vietnamese caregivers raising their children in Australia

Abstract

While a body of research exists detailing challenges that Vietnamese caregivers face when settling in Australia, there are no empirical studies conducted on Vietnamese caregivers’ stressors that affect their children’s wellbeing in Australia. This qualitative study aimed to explore Vietnamese caregivers’ experience in raising their children during a period of settlement in Australia, with at least one child in the age range between seven and nine. Guided by the relevant literature, semi-structured interview questions relating to how these caregivers raise their children in the context of parenting practices were posed to the ten participants. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of data reflecting their experience on raising their children. Six themes were identified: freedom, academic achievement, education at home, parental interaction, managing children’s behaviour/attitudes and their children and language preference. Novel findings of the study include caregivers’ ability to adapt to the host culture, their parenting style, and their beliefs and goals. A degree of conflict between caregivers and their children depended upon their children’s age and their English language barrier. It is suggested that conducting mixed methods research would test the reliability of this study and offer a more comprehensive understanding of the research question.