Indo-Caribbean Women from Trinidad and Guyana: Hardships, Conflict, and Resiliency

Abstract

Abstract This study contributes to the literature on Asian Indian women who have emigrated from Trinidad and Guyana (Indo-Caribbeans) and who are now residing in the US. Using a qualitative design comprised of four ninety-minute interviews, I explored the experiences of immigration, ways of coping, and feelings regarding empowerment for a group of seven women between the ages of forty and forty-nine. Findings were similar to previous research on Asian Indian women and revealed negative experiences with gender inequality, domestic violence, spousal alcohol abuse, and increased role strain following immigration. The women reported that their relationships with other women were helpful and psychologically supportive and enabled them to cope with various hardships. These findings contrast with research findings that have described women's relationships as primarily competitive and undermining of one another. The findings further suggest that clinicians working with Indo-Caribbean women should explore stresses of immigration, cultural differences between the women's country of origin and the host country, and identifying ways of coping.