Coping and Adjustment of Spouses of International Students at South Dakota State University

169 Pages·2016·1.54 MB·English

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Electronic Theses and Dissertations
2016
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Elizabeth Nayebare
South Dakota State University
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COPING AND ADJUSTMENT OF SPOUSES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
BY
ELIZABETH NAYEBARE
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Master of Science
Major in Sociology
South Dakota State University

2016

iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to thank my advisor Dr. Meredith Redlin who encouraged me to
join the Sociology Department when I was on F-2 visa. Because of the restrictions of the F-2 visa,
I had lost hope of building a career in Sociology which was my undergraduate major, or doing
something meaningful beyond being a housewife. My journey through graduate school began
when I took her advice. I would also like to thank her for supporting and guiding me on my
research project. I don’t think this thesis would have been as good as it is without her untiring
support.
I also wish to thank Dr. Diane Kayongo-Male for her support and encouragement, and for
accepting to be on my thesis committee. My first semester in graduate school would have been
harder for me had it not been for her guidance and help in understanding a new academic system.
Finally, I also wish to thank the graduate school representative on my committee, Dr. Kim Jung -
Han for his support.
Furthermore, I would like to thank Dr. Mary Emery for offering me a research
assistantship in the department. After I had shared with her the experience of holding an F-2 visa,
she did everything possible to make sure I got an assistantship without which I would not have
been able to pursue my master’s degree.
This research, let alone coming to the United States would not have been possible, had it
not been for the sacrifices made by my parents, and their commitment to their children’s
education. I will eternally be grateful to them. My dream has always been to make them proud by
excelling in life. By accomplishing this research and master’s degree, I have achieved that
dream.
Being in graduate school at the same time as my husband while raising two sons would
have been impossible were it not for the support and encouragement of family, and a host of great
iv

friends. I take this opportunity to thank Dr. Emmanuel Byamukama and his wife Agatha
Ampiire, Dr. Abayomi and his wife Donya, Dr. Gail Tiedemann and her husband Larry
Tiedemann, my sister Carol and her husband Dr. Mugumya and all my siblings. These friends and
family members have been so selflessly supportive that Brookings became home despite its cold
winters. A word of thanks also goes to colleagues in the sociology department--Rebecca, Anton,
Basher and Amanda.
Thanks also go to all spouses of international students at South Dakota State University
who participated in this research. I truly appreciate your time, courage, and commitment to share
with me your experiences. It is my prayer that the findings contained in this research can
stimulate those in position to make policies or mobilize community efforts that might ease your
experiences, and those of others likely to come after you.
Last but not least, I thank my husband Dr. Mugisha for his support and love, and our two
sons Manzi M. Uzabakiriho and Asiimwe M. Niyiruta, for being patient while mum was away. I
appreciate my husband’s efforts in editing my work and guiding me throughout my master’s
program. I hope this achievement brings the joy and great things we missed while in school.
v

SPECIAL THANKS TO WOMEN AND GIVING, SDSU FOUNDATION

This research was conducted with the help of a grant offered by Women and Giving of
South Dakota State University Foundation. I would like to thank the donors, and South Dakota
State University Foundation for their kindness and commitment to advancing women’s causes in
South Dakota. Without your financial support, I would not have conducted this research in time
and successfully. Thank you.
vi

CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES ...........................................................................................................................ix
LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................................... x
ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER ONE .............................................................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1
Background to the Study .............................................................................................................. 1
Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................. 3
Research Questions ...................................................................................................................... 5
Importance of this Research ......................................................................................................... 5
Organization of the Thesis ........................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................. 8
LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................ 8
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 8
Challenges and Stresses Experienced by Spouses of International Students ............................... 8
Economic Problems ................................................................................................................. 9
Unmet Expectations and Lack of Opportunity ...................................................................... 10
Lack of Transport and Poor Communication ......................................................................... 11
Social and Emotional Challenges .......................................................................................... 12
Change in Gender Roles and Identity Conflicts ..................................................................... 15
Coping with Stress among Spouses of International Students ................................................... 17
Factors Affecting Adjustment of International Students and Spouses ....................................... 18
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 21
CHAPTER THREE ....................................................................................................................... 24
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................. 24
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 24
Conceptualizing Acculturation .................................................................................................. 24
Strategies of Acculturation ........................................................................................................ 27
Acculturation Framework .......................................................................................................... 29
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 31
CHAPTER FOUR .......................................................................................................................... 33
METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................ 33
vii

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 33
Target Population ....................................................................................................................... 33
Sampling and Recruitment of Study Participants ...................................................................... 34
Methods of Data Collection ....................................................................................................... 38
Challenges Faced During Interviews ......................................................................................... 40
Ethical Issues and IRB Approval ............................................................................................... 42
Data Processing and Analysis .................................................................................................... 42
CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................... 46
ATTRIBUTES OF PARTICIPANTS, COPING, AND ADJUSTMENT ..................................... 46
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 46
Social, Economic and Cultural Attributes of Participants ......................................................... 47
Adjustment and Coping ............................................................................................................. 55
Factors Facilitating Coping and Adjustment ............................................................................. 63
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 72
CHAPTER SIX .............................................................................................................................. 75
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES OF COPING AND ADJUSTMENT .................................... 75
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 75
Strategies of Coping and Adjustment ........................................................................................ 76
Activities for Acculturating and Respondent’s Cultural Backgrounds ...................................... 79
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 87
EXPERIENCES OF COPING AND ADJUSTMENT .................................................................. 89
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 89
Positive Aspects of Coping and Adjustment.............................................................................. 89
Challenges of Coping and Adjustment ...................................................................................... 94
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 110
CHAPTER EIGHT ...................................................................................................................... 112
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION .......................................................................................... 112
Moderating Factors Prior to Acculturation .............................................................................. 112
Moderating Factors during Acculturation ................................................................................ 118
Appraisal of Experience (Stressors) and their Immediate Effects (Stress) .............................. 121
Strategies and Activities for Coping and Adjusting ................................................................. 125
Long-term Outcomes of Coping and Adjustment .................................................................... 130
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Limitations of the Research ..................................................................................................... 132
Areas of Further Research ....................................................................................................... 132
Practical Suggestions…………………………………………………………….....................123
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 134
References ................................................................................................................................ 136
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 5.1: Social and Cultural Attributes of Participants................................................ 49

Table 5.2: Sources of Income and Amount Earned.......................................................... 53

Table: 7.1: Main Challenges Faced by Participants......................................................... 95

Table 7.2: Source(s) and Amount of Monthly Income for Spouses’ Families................ 98

Table 7.3: Friends of Participants...................................................................................... 106