The Social Support Networks of Female Immigrants In Taiwan

[[abstract]]Following the economic structural changes, there is a greater number of cross-border marriages due to increasing convenience of communication and transportation. The study aims to present how immigrant women development and use social support networks in Taiwan. Sevenfemale immigrants who have lived in Taichung for more than five years were interviewed in Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese dialogues.The researcher uses the strengths-based hermeneutic phenomenology perspective to analyze data, in order to explore female immigrants ' experiences in builting and utilizing their social support networks. Results of the study indicate that female immigrantsdemonstratetheir strengths to cope withchallenges when adapting and building their social support networks.With the support and companionship of family members and friends, they gradually expand their living and friendship circles, and eventually built up own social support networks. Moreover, they use the help of their husbands, families of origin, friends, communities, and even social welfare resources tosupply individuals’needswhenother networkscannnot.. At last, suggestions on social policies, psychological services delivery, and directions of future research are provided based onthe results of the study