When Values and Behaviors Conflict: Immigrant BSW Students’ Experiences Revealed

This qualitative study reveals the discomfort seven immigrant bachelor of social work students reported experiencing when the behaviors expected of them as Canadian social workers conflicted with their fundamental family values. Behaviorally, participants had assimilated to Canadian and to social work cultures; however, the values they held from their home countries remained unchanged. The conflict between their unchanged values and their adapted behavior led to emotional stress in various aspects of their lives. The implications for social work education, supervision, recruiting people to the social work profession, acculturation theory, and future research are discussed.