The Convergence of Health and Family in the Vietnamese Culture

Abstract

Although thousands of Vietnamese refugees have found sanctuary in the United States during the past 30 years, few descriptions exist about the manner in which the Vietnamese family functions in this country. Using the phenomenological method, open-ended interviews on health, illness, and family in the Vietnamese culture were conducted with 15 Vietnamese women. The participants conveyed themes of connectedness, holism, persistence of values, and the importance of continuity of intergenerational wisdom. These topics provide information about the salience of the Vietnamese family and intersecting points of its health in particular. This article examines implications for nurse clinicians working with families and the importance of involving family members in health care delivery. Recommendations for further research pertaining to the Vietnamese family and communities are also explored.