Counseling Asian Indian Immigrant Families: A Pastoral Psychotherapeutic Model

Description

This book provides insight into the unique challenges facing Indian and South Asian immigrants in the West—particularly in the United States. It explores the “baggage” they carry; their expectations versus the realities of negotiating a new cultural, social, religious, and economic milieu; nostalgia and idealization of the past; and the hybridity of existence. Within this context, the author discusses factors which often contribute to intergenerational family conflict among this population. Jacob asserts that this conflict is largely a product of differences in cultural values and identity, acculturation stress, and the experience of marginality. After analyzing and interpreting empirical data collected from two hundred families, he proposes the “Praxis-Reflection-Action” (PRA) Model: a five-stage therapeutic model and the first pastoral psychotherapeutic model developed for the Asian Indians living in the West. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxv Introduction and Overview (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 1-19 Historical and Cultural Factors in Ethnic Identity Formation of Asian-Indian Immigrants: Understanding the Context of Care (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 21-54 Cultural Identity and Intergenerational Conflicts (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 55-69 Presentation and Interpretation of the Empirical Data (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 71-104 Relationship, Culture, Community and Personhood (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 105-144 Marginality and Theology of New Marginality (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 145-176 Cohesive Self and New Marginality: A Mutual Critical Correlation (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 177-189 The Praxis–Reflection–Action Model: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Pastoral Care and Psychotherapy (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 191-212 Application of Praxis-Reflection-Action Model of Pastoral Counseling (Varughese Jacob)....Pages 213-243 Back Matter ....Pages 245-441