Migrant families as effective buffers against discrimination: The perceived work–care conflict and household conditions of mothers

Abstract

Summary

Past social work studies on discrimination perceived by immigrants mainly concerned the negative impacts of social dislocation on the immigrants, such as their loss of social support, devaluation of education and work skills, and acculturative stress. Important features of family efficacy, notably the immigrant’s perceived control over the work–care management and household conditions are yet to be considered in any conceptual model of perceived discrimination.

Findings

The present study tested both the social dislocation and family efficacy models for 372 Chinese migrant mothers living in low-income communities of Hong Kong. While path analyses supported both models, the family efficacy model had substantially higher power in explaining perceived discrimination.

Application

Implications for social service practitioners and policy advocates to promote the life chances of poor migrant mothers are discussed.