McNair Scholar 2024 - Sophea Om
Sophea Om, a senior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Family Social Science, researches the impacts of deportation on Southeast Asian refugee families. She focuses on family separation and mental health and plans to pursue a master’s degree to develop supportive interventions and policies for these communities.
Quote from Sophea Om
My dream is to provide mental health services to Southeast Asian communities, helping heal trauma and foster resilience. I aim to create supportive environments for care, empowering members to overcome challenges, embrace strengths, and build a healthier, more connected future.
Research project
Cambodian American Refugee Family Impacts from Deportation
Abstract
The deportation of Southeast Asian refugees, particularly Cambodian Americans, has significant effects on family relationships in the U.S. This research investigated how forced removal and family separation impacted parent-child relationships, socio-economic outcomes, and overall well-being. As a first-generation Cambodian American, the researcher offers a personal perspective, aiming to illuminate the experiences of affected families and advocate for policy changes. Through a comprehensive literature review and qualitative interviews, the study addressed gaps in existing research and provided insights into the challenges faced by Cambodian American families. The conclusions highlight the urgent need for policy reform and enhanced community support systems to address the long-term effects of deportation, advocating for a more compassionate and informed approach to immigration policies that respects human rights and dignity.
Faculty mentor
Dr. Catherine Solheim is a professor and currently serves as the director of graduate studies in the Family Social Science Department at the University of Minnesota. She earned her Ph.D. in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota in 1990. She uses family ecology, ambiguous loss, and social justice theoretical lenses to study topics related to Families and Culture, Refugee Family Resettlement, and Transnational Family Systems. Dr. Solheim annually leads a study abroad course on globalization and family systems in northern Thailand.