Clinical Implications of Bicultural Latina Women’s Integration of Culture and Career

Abstract

This phenomenological study examined first-generation Latina women who developed a bicultural strategy when choosing professional careers. A qualitative research methodology sought to analyze the participants’ academic and career planning journey, the challenges they encountered, the support they received from their families, and how utilizing a bicultural strategy aided them in attaining their career goals. Five Latina women were interviewed with ages ranging from 30 to 50. Several key findings were found to be congruent with research literature such as acculturation influence on ethnic identity, ethnic identity as protective factors from discrimination, and the influence of traditional cultural values in pursuing college careers. Data was analyzed through the lens of developmental and acculturation theories. The findings revealed the participants’ demonstrated bicultural competence in how they negotiated with their families for support, and how they separated from their families influence to support their own professional goals. Family support was a significant factor for the participants’ successful navigation of career goals. Minimal family support revealed participants compensating by achieving higher standards for themselves. Based on the results of this study it is recommended that academic counselors and psychotherapists recognize the difficulty of Latina women living between two worlds and make efforts to increase their sensitivity of cultural gender role pressures that influence their career decisions.