SON Home | UW Home | MyUW | UW Bothell | UW Tacoma | HealthLinks | Contact the School | Search SON | Internal Three-Generational Immigrant Families Sought for Nursing Study How do family dynamics and relationships change with immigration? How does the experience of immigration affect each family member's mental health? Dr. Mayumi Willgerodt, a nurse researcher from the School of Nursing at the University of Washington, is hoping to answer these questions in ways that will help current and future Chinese immigrant families make a more successful adjustment to their new life in the United States. The Chinese Family Study, created by Willgerodt in 1999, is looking at the relationships between adolescents, parents and grandparents in immigrant families and how these relationships influence family functioning and individual mental health. In the study, three generational Chinese immigrant families (Mandarin and Cantonese) are asked to complete a set of questionnaires (in English, Mandarin or Cantonese), and then sit down with a research assistant, Ms. Michelle Yip, for a brief interview about the experience. New subjects for the study are currently being recruited. Participation involves a 2- hour session with Ms. Yip at a convenient location. Family members will be paid $15 each as a token of appreciation for their time. All family members' results will remain confidential. The Chinese Family Study grew out of Willgerodt's PhD dissertation in which she interviewed second generation Chinese American women about what it was like growing up with two different cultures simultaneously. This study showed that successful programs to help Chinese women be more successful in their communities depended on understanding the role of the family, particularly in immigrant families. The Chinese Family Study is an attempt to develop the tools that will be most effective in helping both the individual and the family. Willgerodt is an assistant professor of family and child nursing at the top-ranked UW School of Nursing. For more information about the Chinese Family Study, or to participate, please call 206-616-0919 and leave a message. Messages may be left in both Mandarin and Cantonese. For additional information, please contact Dr. Mayumi Willgerodt at 206/685-7933, or by email at mayumiw@u.washington.edu. Return to News and Events   Copyright © 2008 University of Washington 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington 98195