Self-Reported Reasons for Divorce, Social Support, and Depression: An Exploratory Study With Hmong Women

Abstract

Contrary to other Asian Americans, Hmong, a subgroup of Southeast Asians, have seen a steady increase of divorce rates in prior decades. Due to their clan-based patrilineal system and collectivistic values, divorce is stigmatized and discouraged, especially for Hmong women. A mixed-methods approach was used to explore Hmong women’s reasons for divorce, divorce initiation, and the relationship of social support and depression levels. To analyze findings, a thematic content analysis of written responses in addition to regression models were conducted. Our qualitative findings show the most prominent reasons for divorce reported by Hmong women were personality or life differences, abusive behaviors, and infidelity. No statistical significance was found between initiation of divorce and perceived social support or depression and perceived social support. Implications of findings are shared.