Extensive research into Asian immigrant families in special issue on family psychology
“The articles in this issue examine the psychological experiences of a diverse set of immigrant families and their children who arrive in North America, Europe and
Recent census data show that the number of immigrant children in the
This recent surge in immigration rates means more and more families are finding themselves struggling to adapt to new countries and cultures. These families and their children face a host of challenges, including discrimination, isolation and financial stresses, say psychologists who contributed to this special issue.
One study examined the impact of family financial stresses on the academic achievement of Chinese-American adolescents. Most of the parents in this study of 444 families had emigrated to the
A study found Chinese immigrant mothers of preschoolers were more likely to engage in high levels of authoritative parenting practices. Authoritative parenting involves developing a close, nurturing relationship with children while also maintaining a reasonably high level of expectations and guidelines. The findings showed an authoritative parenting style led to fewer behavior problems among the children in the study. The researchers point out that overall, Chinese parents are more accepting of authoritative parenting practices than previously thought.
Another longitudinal study determined that, within couples, Chinese-American parents were more consistent in their parenting messages to their children than were white American parents. White American parents were more accepting of their children’s behavior, perhaps in an effort to build up their children’s self-esteem. Chinese-American parents’ greater control of their children’s behavior was linked to fewer behavior problems.
One article also looked at how family obligations affected the mental health of hundreds of Chinese-American high school students in the
“These findings highlight the important role of family obligation to Chinese-American adolescents’ mental health,” wrote the study’s lead author Linda Juang, PhD, of
Chuang, one of the special issue’s editors, said the issue’s other articles provide a unique glimpse of immigrant families from countries such as Russia and parts of Africa, who have arrived in other Western countries including Canada, Germany, Israel, Portugal, and the Netherlands. “Only by studying immigrant families and children across a broad range of societies can we accurately evaluate the research on immigrants to the
Special Issue: "Understanding Immigrant Families From Around the World: Introduction to the Special Issue," Journal of Family Psychology, Vol. 23, No. 3.
Articles:
“Understanding Immigrant Families From Around the World: Introduction to the Special Issue” - http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/fam233275.pdf
Contact Susan Chuang by e-mail at schuang@uoguelph.ca; phone number is 519-824-4120.
“Family Economic Stress and Academic Well-Being Among Chinese-American Youth: The Influence of Adolescents’ Perceptions of Economic Strain”http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/fam233279.pdf
Contact Rashmita Mistry by e-mail at mistry@gseis.ucla.edu; phone numbers are 818-269-0377 and 310-825-6569.
“Authoritative Parenting Among Immigrant Chinese Mothers of Preschoolers”
http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/fam233311.pdf
Contact Charissa Cheah by e-mail at ccheah@umbc.edu; phone number is 410-455-1059.
“Relations Among Parental Acceptance and Control and Children’s Social Adjustment in Chinese American and European American Families”
http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/fam233321.pdf
Contact Carol Huntsinger by e-mail at huntsinger@niu.edu; phone numbers are 847-362-0940 (home) and 847-609-3748 (cell).
“A Longitudinal Study of Family Obligation and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese American Adolescents”
http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/fam233396.pdf
Contact Linda Juang by e-mail at juanglin@yahoo.com
Contact Jeff Cookston by e-mail at cookston@sfsu.edu; his phone number is 415-377-8807.
The American Psychological Association, in