Perceptions of transnational family responsibilities’ effects on subjective health and wellness – voices of Thai immigrant women
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 15 September 2020
Issue publication date: 15 September 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Globalisation provides new opportunities for immigrant women to supply financial benefits transnationally to uphold their families in their home countries. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Thai immigrant women regarding transnational family responsibilities effects on their health and wellness.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 40 Thai immigrant women, of which 34 described having transnational family responsibilities. The transcribed data were analysed using a phenomenographic approach.
Findings
The findings revealed five structural aspects of transnational family responsibilities of Thai immigrant women: being a dutiful daughter, being a caring mother, being a kind relative, being a “giving” person and striving for a wealthy life. The interviewees seldom encountered enough support from the spouse in handling their transnational family responsibilities. In general, a transnational marriage includes family responsibilities that are continuous and that often is the cause of migration.
Practical implications
This paper illuminates the transnational responsibilities of marriage migration and argues for women’s rights of culturally congruent health care.
Originality/value
Traditionally Thai women’s values are based on how they handle family responsibilities and acknowledging own health needs are not. These interviewees perceived doubled burden in terms of family responsibilities and workload in employed work, which contributed to poor health and wellness.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements: We thank the Thai immigrant women participants for giving up their valuable time to participate in this study. We are also grateful for the chairpersons of three Thai cultural associations in Sweden with this study.Funding: This paper is part of a PhD thesis project funded by the Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Udon Thani. The college is part of the Praboromarajchanok Institute for Health Workforce Development (PIHWD), Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, and this the project was funded in cooperation with Mälardalen University in Sweden.Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Citation
Pongthippat, W., Östlund, G., Darvishpour, M., Kijsomporn, J. and Gustafsson, L.-K. (2020), "Perceptions of transnational family responsibilities’ effects on subjective health and wellness – voices of Thai immigrant women", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 225-240. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-12-2019-0104
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited