A RICH MOSAIC: EMERGING RESEARCH ON ASIAN FAMILIES OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

In this chapter, we review research on families of Asian descent who are caring for family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our review includes research conducted in Asia as well as research on Asian immigrants in the United States and United Kingdom. This pan-ethnic group is of particular importance because Asia is the largest continent in the world, and Asians represent one of the largest immigrant groups to the United States and Western Europe. We review research within a cross-cultural stress and coping model that includes unique environmental and cultural contexts. We also examine the process of acculturation and differing experiences of Asian immigrant families with respect to the stress and coping model. We identify areas in which future research is needed to flesh out our knowledge about stress and coping among Asian families. Overall, our findings reveal a rich cultural mosaic of Asian families and their experiences.