Lived Experiences of Belonging to Multiple Nationalities PDF
Preview Lived Experiences of Belonging to Multiple Nationalities
University of Northern Colorado Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC Dissertations Student Research 8-1-2015 Lived Experiences of Belonging to Multiple Nationalities Annete Susanne Peters Follow this and additional works at: htp://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Peters, Annete Susanne, "Lived Experiences of Belonging to Multiple Nationalities" (2015). Dissertations. Paper 43. Tis Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. For more information, please contact © 2015 ANNETTE SUSANNE PETERS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO Greeley, Colorado The Graduate School LIVED EXPERIENCES OF BELONGING TO MULTIPLE NATIONALITIES A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Annette Susanne Peters College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Department of Applied Psychological Counselor Education Counseling Psychology August 2015 This Dissertation by: Annette Susanne Peters Entitled: Lived Experiences of Belonging to Multiple Nationalities Has been approved as meeting the requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in College of Education and Behavioral Sciences in Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology Accepted by the Doctoral Committee ______________________________________________________ Basilia Softas-Nall, Ph.D., Research Advisor _______________________________________________________ Jeffrey A. Rings, Ph.D., Committee Member _______________________________________________________ Robyn S. Hess, Ph.D., Committee Member _______________________________________________________ Lory Clukey, Ph.D., RN, Faculty Representative Date of Dissertation Defense ______________________________ Accepted by the Graduate School ________________________________________________ Linda L. Black, Ed.D. Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School and International Admissions ABSTRACT Peters, Annette S. Lived experiences of belonging to multiple nationalities. Published Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2015. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals who identify with multiple nationalities. As this world becomes increasingly global and more and more individuals migrate, it is becoming increasingly common for individuals to identify with more than one nationality. This is an important area for counseling psychologists and mental health professionals to be aware of in order to gain an understanding of those who identify with multiple nationalities, which will be helpful in providing more effective treatment. A phenomenological research design was utilized in this study. Ten participants (age range = 25 to 46, ! = 30.1) were recruited who identified with more than one nationality and interviewed. Saturation was reached after seven participants, with three additional participants already recruited completing interviews to strengthen the findings. Several themes emerged that described participants’ experiences belonging to multiple nationalities in the context of intersectionality including: (a) process of identifying with multiple nationalities; (b) intentionality about identifying with multiple nationalities; (c) reactions of others; (d) cultural intelligence—openness, appreciation, and acceptance of diversity; (e) similarities between cultures, language, religions, and spiritualties across nationalities; (f) feeling connected or disconnected through language; (g) where is home, and do I belong?; (h) iivi professional identities; and (i) importance of food. Participants provided recommendations for mental health professionals and counseling psychologists when working with individuals who identify with multiple nationalities. Theoretical and research implications are discussed. Clinical implications are also provided and include information to help counseling psychologists better understand what it is like to identify with multiple nationalities, such as the advantages (e.g., cultural intelligence) and difficulties experienced (e.g., reactions of others). Keywords: Identity, intersectionality, phenomenology, nationality iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, and foremost, I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for my husband Benjamin Claussen. He has shown unconditional love, support, encouragement, and patience throughout my time pursuing my doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology. He has made numerous sacrifices over the years so that I could follow my dreams, interests and passions. I am very fortunate to have found a lifelong partner who is ready to be with me for the many exciting adventures to come. His emotional support has been essential in my success in completing my dissertation. I also want to express my deep appreciation for my parents, Christiane and Dieter Peters, who have provided unconditional support and encouragement my entire life. Their interest in my life and the joy they show in my accomplishments is something that has been essential in helping me take this daring quest. A shout out also goes to my wonderful and loving siblings, Renate, Martin, and Christoph, who have been an inspiration for me, as well as to my in-laws and sister-in-law for their humor and positive outlook on life. Naturally, graduate school is not possible without having a good mentor and a solid committee. Thank you to Dr. Lia Softas-Nall, for having worked with me these past five years in every possible area imaginable and having pushed me to be the person I am today. I also want to express my warm appreciation for Dr. Jeffrey Rings who has been essential in providing me support and encouragement throughout the program. I definitely appreciate knowing that I could always come talk to you. Thank you to Dr. v Maria Lahman, who provided me with valuable qualitative methodological guidance in developing my study, and to Dr. Clukey who graciously stepped in at the end to serve on my committee. Thank you Dr. Hess for your valuable feedback that helped strengthen my research work. Not only have family and mentors been essential in my journey, but also wonderful friends. There are too many to list, but you know who you are. Thank you for all the patience, uncountable hours of support, and never ending enthusiasm. Thank you also to all my participants who made this study possible. I feel honored to have been able to hear so many amazing life stories. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH PROBLEM ………… 1 Introduction Background and Context Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Study Primary Research Questions Research Approach Assumptions Rationale and Significance Definitions of Key Terms II. LITERATURE REVIEW ……………………………………….. 12 Overview History of Sense of Self and Identity Sense of Self/Identity Acculturation Intersectionality The Power of Language and Communication Multicultural Counseling Competence and Social Justice Literature Summary and Conclusions Summary III. METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………… 60 Introduction Methodology Summary vi IV. RESULTS ……………………………………………………….. 87 Introduction Participant Descriptions Emerging Themes Recommendations for Mental Health Professionals Summary V. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION …………………………… 145 Overview of Study Summary of Findings and Relationship with Current Literature Implications Limitations of the Study Summary REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………… 192 APPENDIX A: Institutional Review Board Approval ………………………… 217 APPENDIX B: Letter to Prospective Participant ……………………………… 220 APPENDIX C: Screening Question …………………………………………… 222 APPENDIX D: Informed Consent …………………………………………….. 224 APPENDIX E: Participant Demographic Information Sheet …………………. 227 APPENDIX F: Proposed Interview Guide …………………………………….. 229 APPENDIX G: Participant Demographics …………………………………….. 232 APPENDIX H: Photo and Visual Elicitation ………………………………….. 234 APPENDIX I: Manuscript for Publication …………………………………….. 247 vii
The list of books you might like
