Journal of Family Psychology
Volume 23, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 426-437

Parent-Child Acculturation, Parenting, and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Immigrant Families (Article)

Kim S.Y.* , Chen Q. , Li J. , Huang X. , Moon U.J.
  • a Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, United States
  • b Educational Psychology Department, University of North Texas, United States
  • c Department of Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin, United States
  • d Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, United States
  • e Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, United States

Abstract

Using a sample of 388 father-adolescent and 399 mother-adolescent dyads in Chinese immigrant families, the current investigation tested Portes and Rumbaut's (1996) assertion that generational dissonance may indicate a family context that places children at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Study findings suggest that a high discrepancy in father-adolescent acculturation levels relates significantly to more adolescent depressive symptoms. The study further demonstrates that the quality of the parenting relationship between fathers and adolescents operates as a mediator between father-adolescent acculturation discrepancy and adolescent depressive symptoms. Specifically, a high level of discrepancy in American orientation between fathers and adolescents is associated with unsupportive parenting practices, which, in turn, are linked to more adolescent depressive symptoms. These relationships are significant even after controlling for the influence of family socioeconomic status and parents' and adolescents' sense of discrimination within the larger society. © 2009 American Psychological Association.

Author Keywords

Chinese Adolescence Acculturation Parenting Depressive symptoms

Index Keywords

depression psychological aspect methodology Adolescent Psychology human statistics ethnology United States Humans family Adolescent California Asian Americans male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Asian American child psychology female cultural factor Parenting Parent-Child Relations Article social adaptation migration Social Adjustment child parent relation Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-67650132673&doi=10.1037%2fa0016019&partnerID=40&md5=87de669e5a87acf732ed5831d7b24595
DOI: 10.1037/a0016019
ISSN: 08933200
Cited by: 58
Original Language: English