Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Chinese immigrants, Australia'

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2004.
Title from title screen (viewed 8 May 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Economics and Political Science, Faculty of Economics and Business. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

Most immigrants have to adjust their lives to living in a new country, especially when moving from an Eastern to a Western society. Chinese immigrants may face multiple difficulties, including cultural differences and the English language barrier, which are a particularly problem for older immigrants. To overcome these difficulties, many Chinese immigrants either form new community groups or join those currently operating. Normally, Chinese community groups provide a wide range of activities for members. The literature (e.g., Diener, 1984; Cantor & Sanderson, 1999; Csikszentmihalyi, 1975) provides some understanding of the value for new immigrants in attending these group activities. Participating members report improved life satisfaction within new society and have a more positive outcome as a result of their involvement. However, the magnitude of the influence life satisfaction and well-being is not as clear. This research aimed to better understand the relationships between participation in community group activities and the life satisfaction and well-being of participating members. A quantitative research method was adopted for this study to investigate the relationships between the variables. The study utilised a questionnaire that focused on specific demographic characteristics of participants, a 5-item life satisfaction measure (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985), a short 18-item measure (Ryff, 1989a) of the six dimensions of psychological well-being, and on other factors likely to impinge on life satisfaction and well-being. The 7-point agreement scale asked participants the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with the statements. The questionnaire was offered to participants in both English and Chinese. Questionnaires were completed by 600 Chinese-speaking immigrants from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore who were participants in educational activities and/or other activities offered through 21 different Chinese community groups in Brisbane. Four hundred took part in 20 different educational group activities, and 200 in 25 different non-educational group activities. Most participants were female, and approximately two thirds were over 50 years of age. Using AMOS, a number of structural equations models (SEMs) were tested to investigate the conceptually proposed links between the various variables. This study supports other literature, finding that both educational and general activities provided by the community groups positively influence the participating members' life satisfaction and feelings of well-being. The majority of participants in this study reported that they considered participating in community group educational activities (74.2% agreed), and general activities (66.6%), had the most impact on their life satisfaction and well-being. Most participants (70%) found that community group activities, both educational and general, were interesting. However, only around 53% of them claimed to have achieved their goals in these activities. The findings of this study indicate the complexity of the influences on life satisfaction and well-being levels facing this cohort of Chinese immigrants. Although results suggest that demographic variables such as year of migration and employment status have a greater influence on life satisfaction and well-being than educational activities and general activities, the outcomes of this study support the conclusion that the participating members have benefited from the variety of programs offered by Chinese community groups.

Most immigrants have to adjust their lives to living in a new country, especially when moving from an Eastern to a Western society. Chinese immigrants may face multiple difficulties, including cultural differences and the English language barrier, which are a particularly problem for older immigrants. To overcome these difficulties, many Chinese immigrants either form new community groups or join those currently operating. Normally, Chinese community groups provide a wide range of activities for members. The literature (e.g., Diener, 1984; Cantor & Sanderson, 1999; Csikszentmihalyi, 1975) provides some understanding of the value for new immigrants in attending these group activities. Participating members report improved life satisfaction within new society and have a more positive outcome as a result of their involvement. However, the magnitude of the influence life satisfaction and well-being is not as clear. This research aimed to better understand the relationships between participation in community group activities and the life satisfaction and well-being of participating members. A quantitative research method was adopted for this study to investigate the relationships between the variables. The study utilised a questionnaire that focused on specific demographic characteristics of participants, a 5-item life satisfaction measure (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985), a short 18-item measure (Ryff, 1989a) of the six dimensions of psychological well-being, and on other factors likely to impinge on life satisfaction and well-being. The 7-point agreement scale asked participants the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with the statements. The questionnaire was offered to participants in both English and Chinese. Educational activities, well-being and the life satisfaction of Chinese community group members Questionnaires were completed by 600 Chinese-speaking immigrants from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore who were participants in educational activities and/or other activities offered through 21 different Chinese community groups in Brisbane. Four hundred took part in 20 different educational group activities, and 200 in 25 different non-educational group activities. Most participants were female, and approximately two thirds were over 50 years of age. Using AMOS, a number of structural equations models (SEMs) were tested to investigate the conceptually proposed links between the various variables. This study supports other literature, finding that both educational and general activities provided by the community groups positively influence the participating members' life satisfaction and feelings of well-being. The majority of participants in this study reported that they considered participating in community group educational activities (74.2% agreed), and general activities (66.6%), had the most impact on their life satisfaction and well-being. Most participants (70%) found that community group activities, both educational and general, were interesting. However, only around 53% of them claimed to have achieved their goals in these activities. The findings of this study indicate the complexity of the influences on life satisfaction and well-being levels facing this cohort of Chinese immigrants. Although results suggest that demographic variables such as year of migration and employment status have a greater influence on life satisfaction and well-being than educational activities and general activities, the outcomes of this study support the conclusion that the participating members have benefited from the variety of programs offered by Chinese community groups.
Thesis (Professional Doctorate)
Doctor of Education (EdD)
School of Cognition, Language and Special Education
Full Text

As one of the largest non-English speaking groups in Australia, Chinese immigrants, refugees and sojourners are becoming more visible and have begun to exert more influence on Australian society. These groups can be better understood by reading and analysing Chinese literature in Australia because these contemporary Chinese literary works discuss a numbers of issues, such as how migrants and refugees adapted to the host culture while preserving their traditional culture; how they became involved into the new society and became a part of it; and what anxieties and difficulties they encountered in the process of displacement and transition. The current study uses the theories of both cultural studies and inter-cultural communication theorists to examine literary works written in Chinese by Chinese immigrants to Australia. Literary theory is also used as a methodological tool to analyse the writings. The study compares the works of writers from mainland China with the writings of Chinese from other country ('Chinese outsiders'). Although the two groups write on similar themes, the research shows that the characteristics, and the general perspectives they present are quite different from one another.

This thesis examines the role of sport participation in the acculturation process of Chinese immigrants in Australia. In doing so, this thesis offers sport policy makers and managers recommendations on how to facilitate Chinese immigrants’ integration into the local community through sport participation. Chinese immigrants are becoming one of the most dominant immigrants group in Australia (Department of Immigration and Citizenship, 2011a, 2011b), and influential to the Australian community politically, economically and socially (Freeman & Birrell, 2001; Jupp, 1995, 1997). Meanwhile, studies (e.g. Kell, 2000; Lock, Taylor and Darcy, 2008; Taylor, Lock and Darcy, 2009) have indicated that sport participation can play an important role in building social capital amongst minority groups, including immigrants. Crawford (2009) indicated that Chinese immigrants are likely to participate in sport, in particular badminton and table tennis, when they settle in Australia. Hence, it is likely that Chinese immigrants use sport participation as a way to seek interaction and adaptation in the local community in their efforts to acculturate. However, acculturation studies have too often neglected the role of sport participation in immigrants’ adaptation to the new life in Australia (Berry, Phinney, Sam, & Vedder, 2006; Phinney, Jacoby, & Silva, 2007; Ward & Masgoret, 2006, 2008).
Thesis (Masters)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Griffith Business School
Griffith Business School
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The older Chinese immigrant group is one of the largest non-English-speaking ageing groups in Australia. A large volume of research has examined the health status and the social environment of older Chinese immigrants, yet less scholarly effort has been devoted to the impacts of the neighbourhood environment on the wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants, making it difficult for urban planners and policy makers to provide appropriate neighbourhood environments for this cohort. This thesis aims to explore this issue by focusing on the two following research questions: first, to understand older Chinese immigrants’ experiences and perceptions of the neighbourhood environment in Australia; and second, to understand the effects of the neighbourhood environment (i.e. family relationships, accessibility to essential facilities, public transportation and walking environments) on the wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants. Through a case study on the Gold Coast (Queensland, Australia), this thesis applies both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The use of travel diaries and mapping exercises were employed to acquire primary data. Semi-structured interviews were also undertaken to explore older Chinese immigrants’ perceptions of their neighbourhood environment and wellbeing. Thirty older Chinese immigrants participated in this research. Three main findings emerged from this research. First, the study demonstrates that the main reason for older Chinese immigrants moving to the Gold Coast is to reunite with their adult children which is guided by the complex feelings of family commitment, personal values and the need of elder care. Although older Chinese immigrants have met their values of caring for their family members, excessive housework might negatively influence their wellbeing. The key components of older Chinese immigrants’ wellbeing include family relationships, independent lives and social networks. The second main finding is related to the effects of the neighbourhood environment on wellbeing. The thesis research finds that low accessibility to essential facilities, difficulties in taking public transportation and unfamiliar environments negatively influence older Chinese immigrants’ ability to conduct daily activities and this undermines their wellbeing. The majority of participants have a limited range of activities because they can only walk to their destinations. Language barriers and unfamiliar environments impede participants taking public transport. Interaction with the neighbourhood environment is mediated by older Chinese immigrants’ lifestyles and previous experiences. Chinese community centres and Chinese grocery stores are particularly important for older Chinese immigrants. The third finding of this thesis focuses on green spaces. Older Chinese immigrants have easy access to green spaces near their homes while a majority of them have difficulties in accessing city parks to conduct preferred activities. Walking and social activities are the most popular activities in green spaces. Values of keeping healthy, maintaining active lifestyles and being social encourage older Chinese immigrants to visit green spaces. This thesis not only enriches the literature about older Chinese immigrants, neighbourhood environments and wellbeing studies but also has significant implications for urban planners and policy makers to enhance the wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants. The research findings highlight the need for including older immigrants’ perceptions during the process of planning an inclusive neighbourhood environment.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Eng & Built Env
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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Background and Objectives Obesity and some dietary related diseases are emerging health problems among Chinese immigrants and their children in developed countries. These health problems are closely linked to eating habits, which are established in the early years of life. Young children’s eating habits are likely to persist into later childhood and youth. Family environment and parental feeding practices have a strong effect on young children’s eating habits. Little information is available on the early feeding practices of Chinese mothers in Australia. The aim of this study was to understand the dietary beliefs, feeding attitudes and practices of Chinese mothers with young children who were recent immigrants to Australia. Methods Using a sequential explanatory design, this mixed methods study consisted of two distinct phases. Phase 1 (quantitative): 254 Chinese immigrant mothers of children aged 12 to 59 months completed a cross-sectional survey. The psychometric properties and factor structure of a Chinese version of the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ, by Birch et al. 2001) were assessed and used to measure specific maternal feeding attitudes and controlling feeding practices. Other questions were developed from the literature and used to explore maternal traditional dietary beliefs and feeding practices related to their beliefs, perceptions of picky eating in children and a range of socioeconomic and acculturation factors. Phase 2 (qualitative): 21 mothers took part in a follow-up telephone interview to assist in explaining and interpreting some significant findings obtained in the first phase. Results Chinese mothers held strong traditional dietary beliefs and fed their children according to these beliefs. However, children’s consumption of non-core foods was high. Both traditional Chinese and Australian style foods were consumed by their children. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the original 7-factor model of the CFQ provided an acceptable fit to the data with minor modification. However, an alternative model with eight constructs in which two items related to using food rewards were separated from the original restriction construct, not only provided an acceptable fit to the data, but also improved the conceptual clarity of the constructs. The latter model included 24 items loading onto the following eight constructs: restriction, pressure to eat, monitoring, use of food rewards, perceived responsibility, perception of own weight, perception of child’s weight, and concern about child becoming overweight. The internal consistency of the constructs was acceptable or desirable (Cronbach’s α = .60 - .93). Mothers reported low levels of concern about their child overeating or becoming overweight, but high levels of controlling feeding practices: restriction, monitoring, pressure to eat and use of food rewards. More than one quarter of mothers misinterpreted their child’s weight status (based on mothers’ self-reported data). In addition, mothers’ controlling feeding practices independently predicted half of the variance and explained 16% of the variance in child weight status: pressuring the child to eat was negatively associated with child weight status (β = -0.30, p < .01) and using food rewards was positively associated with child weight status (β = 0.20, p < .05) after adjusting for maternal and child covariates. Monitoring and restriction were not associated with child weight status. Mothers’ perceptions of their child’s weight were positively associated with child weight status (β = 0.33, p < .01). Moreover, mothers reported that they mostly decided what (65%) and how much (80%) food their child ate. Mothers who decided what food their child ate were more likely to monitor (β = -0.17, p < .05) and restrict (β = -0.17, p < .05) their child’s food consumption. Mothers who let their child decide how much food their child ate were less likely to pressure their child to eat (β = -0.38, p < .01) and use food rewards (β = -0.24, p < .01). Mothers’ perceptions of picky eating behaviour were positively associated with their use of pressure (β = 0.21, p < .01) and negatively associated with monitoring (β = -0.16, p < .05) and perceptions of their child’s weight status (β = -0.13, p < .05). Qualitative data showed that pressuring to eat, monitoring and restriction of the child’s food consumption were common practices among these mothers. However, mothers stated that their motivation for monitoring and restricting was to ensure the child’s general health. Mothers’ understandings of picky eating behaviour in their children were consistent with the literature and they reported multiple feeding strategies to deal with it. Conclusion Chinese immigrant mothers demonstrated strong traditional dietary beliefs, a low level of concern for child weight, misperceptions of child weight status, and a high overall level of control in child feeding in this study. The Chinese version of the CFQ, which consists of eight constructs and distinguishes between the constructs using food rewards and restriction, is an appropriate instrument to assess feeding attitudes and controlling feeding practices among Chinese immigrant mothers of young children in Australia. Mothers’ feeding attitudes and practices were associated with children’s weight status and mothers’ perceptions of picky eating behaviour in children after adjusting for a range of socio-demographic maternal and child characteristics. Monitoring and restriction of children’s food consumption according to food selection may be positive feeding practices, whereas pressuring to eat and using food rewards appeared to be negative feeding practices in this study. In addition, the results suggest that these young children have high exposure to energy-dense, nutrient-poor food. There is a need to develop and implement nutrition interventions to improve maternal feeding practices and the dietary quality among children of Chinese immigrant mothers in Australia.

This thesis takes a novel approach to investigating cross-cultural capabilities of Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia. Results show that cross-cultural capabilities include two main dimensions: capability of psychological adaptation (including emotion management and positive attitude) and capability of sociocultural adaptation (including cultural learning, language skills and bicultural flexibility). Further, Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs are heterogeneous with five diverse immigrant entrepreneur groups in terms of their cross-cultural capabilities, namely pragmatists, challengers, optimists, integrators and assimilators. This thesis also provides evidence of the impact of cross-cultural capabilities on immigrant entrepreneurs' business outcomes that are associated to venture growth.

Transnational nurse migration is a growing phenomenon. However, relatively little is known about the experiences of immigrant nurses and particularly about non-English speaking background nurses who work in more economically developed countries. Informed by a symbolic interactionist framework, this research explored the experience of China-educated nurses working in the Australian health care system. Using a modified constructivist grounded theory method, the main source of data were 46 face to face in-depth interviews with 28 China-educated nurses in two major cities in Australia. The key findings of this research are fourfold. First, the core category developed in this study is reconciling different realities, which inserts a theoretical understanding beyond the concepts of acculturation, assimilation, and integration. Second, in contrast to the dominant discourse which reduces the experience of immigrant nurses to language and culture, this research concludes that it was not just about language and nor was it simply about culture. Third, rather than focus on the negative aspects of difference as in the immigration literature and in the practice of nursing, this research points to the importance of recognising the social value of difference. Finally, the prevailing view that the experience of immigrant nurses is largely negative belies its complexities. This research concludes that it is naïve to define the experience as either good or bad. Rather, ambivalence was the essential feature of the experience and a more appropriate theoretical concept. This research produced a theoretical understanding of the experience of China-educated nurses working in Australia. The findings may not only inform Chinese nurses who wish to immigrate but also contribute to the implementation of more effective support services for immigrant nurses in Australian health care organisations.

This paper investigates the research question ‘What is the effect of co-ethnic and non coethnic networking on business performance in Chinese immigrant businesses?’ The research will discuss key themes such as the extent to which Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs are embedded in co-ethnic and non co-ethnic networks and the affect of embeddedness on business performance, such as the entrepreneur’s satisfaction and business growth. Research on immigrant entrepreneurship has emerged as an important new area of inquiry within the field of entrepreneurship. The increased importance of the subject is due in part to major immigrant receiving countries, such as Australia, the United States and Canada, experiencing a high growth rate in their immigrant population. Reflecting on the existing research on immigrant entrepreneurship, it was decided to investigate the role of embeddedness on entrepreneurial business performance. This research seeks to identify the impact of embeddedness in co-ethnic and non co-ethnic networks on business performance of Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia. Chinese immigrant restaurant entrepreneurs in southeast Queensland, Australia were studied. The result expands on existing research on immigrant entrepreneurship, since the majority of immigrant entrepreneurship studies have been conducted on the United States and Canada immigrant experiences, but few have been conducted in the Australian immigrant entrepreneur context. This thesis also adds empirical testing to a research area with little empirical testing. The results indicated that embeddedness in the co-ethnic network is positively related to business performance measured by both growth and satisfaction. Embeddedness in the non co-ethnic network of the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia did not show a similar pattern in accordance with studies conducted in the United States and Canada. This result is interesting and creates the opportunity for future research employing a comparative study.

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Religious institutions are a crucial link in the causal chain that connects citizens to the political process. This is because churches and other religious institutions have often been thought to supply churchgoers with the resources necessary to take part in the political arena, by providing either opportunities to develop civic skills or exposure to mobilisation attempts (Verba, Schlozman & Brady, 1995). Religious communities play an important role in facilitating immigrant political participation because immigrants tend to lack the resources and civic skills needed for political participation. Church involvement also connects immigrants to other organisations and individuals and the wider society and polity through the social capital embedded in the congregation, the civic skills fostered within the church and the opportunities provided for volunteering and civic involvement. The ethnic and religious identities formed enable immigrants and their families to integrate into the larger community (Foley & Hoge 2007). This dissertation investigates the impact of membership of Christian religious communities on the political participation of Chinese migrants in Australia and compares this with the impact of active membership of voluntary secular associations. Using a mixed methods approach involving analysis of existing survey data, development of an original online survey and in-depth interviews, this research explores various aspects of religious communities and secular associations. The interviews with churchgoers allow the investigation of small group and church-based activities, providing data that goes beyond more traditional measures of denominational affiliation and church attendance. This enables the study to examine the effects of skill-building opportunities and small group involvement on political participation. The interviews with members of secular associations allow the study to examine the range of formal and informal activities and interactions members take part in and their impact on political participation. The study finds that, for Chinese migrants, membership of a religious community has a very limited impact on some forms of political participation. Political involvement is primarily restricted to expressing concerns on issues perceived as opposed to their religious faith. In stark contrast to religious communities, members of Chinese voluntary organisations are more active in Australian politics. This result lends some support to previous findings which emphasise the important role of ethnic voluntary organisations in immigrant political participation. This dissertation represents an important contribution to a literature that has largely ignored the role of religious communities and voluntary organisations in the political participation of Asian immigrants, particularly Chinese migrants.

Australia’s older population has become increasingly diversified in terms of country of origin and ethnicity. The overall aim of the thesis was to critically explore ageing well in an immigrant community by examining the intersection of the Western value system of successful ageing and the Eastern value system of filial piety through the lens of acculturation. In particular, the aim of the present research was to investigate attitudes and beliefs towards ageing and well-being within the context of successful ageing; and the needs and expectations within the context of filial piety among Anglo-Australians and Chinese immigrants. By focusing on the older Chinese community, an under-studied group that is emerging in contemporary Australia, the present research gave a voice to their values and what they perceived as appropriate and relevant as they age away from their country of origin. Using a mixed methods research design, the first phase comprised of a qualitative research component. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to identify and explore themes gathered through semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, 11 Anglo-Australians and 10 Chinese-Australians, aged 55 to 78 years. The present research also explored the issue of establishing rigour in qualitative research within the context of IPA and noted that the use of inter-rater reliability is questionable because it does not consider researcher subjectivity, context and individual differences; pre-determined themes or coding as limiting; the danger of using quantitative criteria on qualitative research; and the need for sufficient resources and involvement of an independent rater. Instead, and as a proposed alternative, the present research demonstrated that rigour in IPA could be established by quoting raw data, carrying out reflexivity and conducting member checks. To further investigate cultural differences in aspects of successful ageing and filial responsibilities and expectations, and the role of acculturation, the second quantitative phase collected data using a battery of questionnaires, which were available in English and in Chinese. Participants (N = 268) over 55 years of age were recruited mainly from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Successful ageing and filial responsibilities (perceptions about adult children’s responsibilities) and filial expectations (older adults’ expectations) were surveyed among 152 Anglo-Australians (AA) and 116 Chinese-Australians (CA), including 68 English speaking (ESCA) and 48 Chinese speaking (CSCA) participants. Results of study one revealed that both groups associated successful ageing with health and personal responsibility. AA regarded growing old gracefully and acceptance as important aspects of successful ageing, whereas CA valued financial security and an active lifestyle. Both groups spoke about their current lack of preparation with respect to future care plans. In terms of ‘Future care preferences’, themes of ‘Ageing in place’, ‘Openness to formal care’ and ‘Quality of care’ reflect perceptions and attitudes of both the AA and CA groups. Results demonstrated heterogeneity within the CA group and suggest that longer length of residency does not necessarily lead to a decrease in traditional expectations. Results of study two revealed AA and CA rated 13 and 14, respectively, of the 20 successful ageing attributes as important. Results also revealed that AA and CA differed significantly on four successful ageing attributes: ‘Having friends and family who are there for me’, ‘Being able to make choices’, ‘Being able to cope’ and ‘Continuing to learn new things’. For CSCA, heredity was rated as important to successful ageing as compared to their ESCA and AA counterparts. With regards to filial piety, overall CA showed greater endorsement of filial responsibilities: that adult children should show filial piety, that children have been brought up to it and that they will have to do this for their parents, compared to AA. CA also showed greater endorsement of filial expectations: that older adults expect filial piety, that older adults were brought up this way and that they themselves expect it as they age, compared to AA. Results consistently showed filial duties ‘look after’ and ‘financial assistance’ were significantly higher for CA on all six sets of subscales. Perceptions of filial piety were further explored using nine statements of filial piety. Chi-square analyses showed CA scored higher than AA, and within the CA group, CSCA scored higher on four of the nine statements. It also discussed the role of acculturation on Chinese immigrants. In summary, when it comes to attitudes towards ageing and well-being, and needs and expectations for support in old age, results of qualitative and quantitative studies indicated Chinese immigrants exhibited a range of complex sentiments. In the context of successful ageing, participants appear to focus on individualistic values and in the context of filial responsibilities and expectations, participants tend to emphasise collectivistic values, although findings also showed mixed orientation in some cases. The present research is an important contribution to the cross-cultural understanding of successful ageing and the value of filial piety of adults ageing in Australia. Future directions could entail further expansion of the present research across a range of other ethnic communities, thereby raising the profile of ethnic communities in the wider society and enhancing culturally appropriate aged care and services in Australia.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2014