Meripa T. Godinet, PhD, is associate professor, Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, University of Hawai'i, 2430 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822; e-mail:
Soc Work. 2019 Apr 1;64(2):113-122. doi: 10.1093/sw/swz003.
The Pacific Islander American racial group is smaller in terms of numbers relative to other racial groups and yet one of the fastest-growing in the United States. The complexity of their lives exceeds the implications of such small numbers, yet it reflects the contribution of their transnational ties and relationships in the Pacific and increasing multiple cultural identities as Pacific Islander Americans. Although this identity provides potential opportunities, challenges and struggles in navigating dual cultures and systems is a reality. Thus, commitment to culturally relevant social work practice with transnational Pacific Islander Americans is imperative. Social work practices that acknowledge and integrate indigenous ways of knowing and doing with consideration to the duality of their transnational identities will produce better outcomes. Emphasis on Pacific Islander cultural strengths is fundamental to generating positive health and mental health outcomes as these strengths have sustained Pacific Islanders through experiences of colonization, immigration, and historical trauma. This article discusses the multiple dimensions of the transnational experiences of Pacific Islander Americans and the implications for culturally relevant social work practice, policy, and research.
太平洋岛裔美国人种族群体在数量上相对较小，但其在美国是增长最快的种族群体之一。他们生活的复杂性超出了这些少数人的影响范围，但这反映了他们在太平洋地区的跨国联系和关系以及日益多样化的太平洋岛裔美国人的多重文化认同的贡献。尽管这种身份提供了潜在的机会，但在双重文化和系统中导航的挑战和斗争是现实。因此，太平洋岛裔美国人的跨文化社会工作实践至关重要。承认和整合本土的认知和行为方式，并考虑到他们跨国身份的双重性的社会工作实践将产生更好的结果。强调太平洋岛裔文化的优势是产生积极的身心健康结果的基础，因为这些优势使太平洋岛民在殖民、移民和历史创伤的经历中得以维持。本文讨论了太平洋岛裔美国人的跨国经历的多个方面，以及对文化相关的社会工作实践、政策和研究的影响。
