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Child-Rearing and Discipline among Cambodian Americans
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between Cambodian perceptions
of child rearing, acculturation, and disciplinary practices that are considered appropriate
versus those that can be viewed as child abuse. The study consisted of 50 Cambodian
adults living in the Los Angeles area.
The results of this exploratory study showed that child rearing and disciplinary practices
among the Cambodian respondents included methods that may be considered physical
and psychological maltreatment by the American child welfare system. Respondents with
lower levels of acculturation (to the United States) were more likely to use traditional
Cambodian approaches of disciplining, which included physical or emotional
maltreatment. Respondents who entered the United States at 19 years or older were
significantly less acculturated than those who entered at 18 or less or those who were
born in the United States. Similarly, respondents who entered the United State at 19
years or older had a significantly more traditional Cambodian approach toward
disciplining than those who entered at 18 or less or those who were born in the United
States. Implications for social work practice and research are discussed.
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INTRODUCTION
Problem Statement
Issues Explored
Definition of Terms
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Historical Overview of Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Welfare Services in Los Angeles County
Child Abuse and Neglect in Cultural Perspective
Western Views on Discipline
CAMBODIAN CONTEXT
Background of the Cambodian People
Recent Cambodian History
The Refugee Camp Experience
The Refugee Resettlement in the United States
Socioeconomic Status
Acculturation
Family Relationships
Child Rearing Practices
Cambodian Disciplinary Practices
Summary
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METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Sample
Instrument
Data Collection
Data Analysis
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SURVEY RESULTS | TABLES
Demographic Characteristics of the Sample
Respondents' Attitudes Toward Discipline of Children
Respondents' Methods of Discipline
Respondents' Levels of Acculturation
Internal Consistency of Scales
Relationship of Acculturation, Attitudes Toward Discipline,
and Methods of Discipline
Effects of Demographics on Acculturation, Attitudes
Toward Discipline, and Methods of Discipline
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DISCUSSION
Summary of Demographic Characteristics of the Sample
Summary of Respondents' Attitudes Toward Discipline of
Children
Summary of Respondents' Methods of Discipline
Summary of Respondents' Level of Acculturation
Summary of Relationships Among Acculturation, Attitudes
Toward Discipline, and Methods of Discipline
Summary of Effects of Demographics on Acculturation, Attitudes
Toward Discipline, and Methods of Discipline
Limitations of the Study
Relevance to Social Work
Recommendations for Future Research
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REFERENCES
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Although the structure of this thesis has been modified for posting,
its substance and the author's findings have not been altered in any way.
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