Asian American Journal of Psychology
Volume 8, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 323-338

Parent-Adolescent Relationships among Chinese Immigrant Families: An Indigenous Concept of Qin (Article)

Wu C.* , Chao R.K.
  • a Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, United States
  • b Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, United States

Abstract

This study investigated cultural meanings of positive Chinese parent- child relationships through exploration of an indigenous concept, qin, as experienced by Chinese American adolescents of immigrant parents. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 first-generation and second-generation Chinese American high school students of immigrant parents, focusing on adolescents' descriptions of the meaning of qin and parental behaviors that foster this quality. According to the Chinese American adolescents who were interviewed, being qin with parents was characterized as closeness to parents and a general sense of togetherness and harmony; showing parents their love through respect, obedience, academic effort, and appreciation; and open communication with the parents, particularly about school. This relationship is primarily fostered by parental devotion and sacrifice, particularly for the child's education, future opportunities, success, and needs. The results highlight the role of child reciprocation of love and devotion for the parents in a qin relationship. © 2017 American Psychological Association.

Author Keywords

Parent-adolescent relationships parental devotion and sacrifice qin parental respect Chinese American

Index Keywords

intimacy male semi structured interview female education immigrant Asian American PsycINFO high school student parental behavior human experiment human child parent relation Adolescent Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85032736923&doi=10.1037%2faap0000092&partnerID=40&md5=d389f8582b2b0df701f2b10d368026f5

DOI: 10.1037/aap0000092
ISSN: 19481985
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English