Abstract
The harsh realities experienced by Iu-Mien women refugees in Laos, Thailand and the United States have contributed to various mental health challenges. Regardless of the high percentage of mental health problems among the Iu-Mien, there are an increasing number, especially among Iu-Mien women who have been able to successfully adapt to their new life. These Iu-Mien women have shown tremendous strength in the face of adversity, forging on despite many hindrances such as acculturation, rapidly changing gender roles, changing child rearing practices, and family values. These resiliencies among Iu-Mien women have not been explored in social work literature. This exploratory study examines, through in-depth interviews, the lived experiences of ten Iu-Mien women to learn about their resiliency. The life stories of the women illuminated the following themes of resilience: 1) perseverance 2) acceptance of the situation 3) patience 4) reframing experiences and 5) Mien family and community interdependence. The recommendations and implications for social work and future studies are also discussed.