Research Areas
Immigration, Acculturation, and Race/Ethnicity
Huong Nguyen's research in this area examines how cultural and structural factors (e.g., acculturation, discrimination, oppression) affect the health and well-being of immigrant and minority youth. Her projects examine the processes of "becoming American" - how immigrants become ethnics over time, their experiences/internalizations of discrimination and microaggressions, and their social, psychological, and academic adaptation as a result. As a whole, these projects seek to inform policies in education, mental health, and immigrant integration/resettlement.
The Immigrant Paradox
One project examines the immigrant paradox: why, despite numerous risk factors, do immigrants do better than their U.S.-born peers? And why do their health and well-being deterioriate with time and generation in the U.S.? Is Americanization "hazardous to their health," as some scholars suggest? This project examines the causes and pathways involved. It explores how acculturation, family relations, microaggressions and oppression can help to explain the paradox.
The MIRIPS
The MIRIPS (Multicultural Intercultural Relations in Plural Society) examines acculturation and race/ethnic relations. It is an international and collaborative study being carried out in 20 countries (the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, France, India, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, and Spain). It examines whether (1) involvement in both the national and ethnic cultures promote confidence in one's identity and mental health, and (2) whether there are relationships between this feeling of being secure (or being threatened) and mutual intercultural attitudes. It explores relationships concerning security, ethnocentrism, hierarchy and reciprocity.
In addition to these projects, the Heller School also offers two immigration courses, a course on children and families of color, and an Immigration Working Group, where faculty and students meet to discuss research, policy and current events.