A Cultural Perspective on Emotions and Behavior: An Empathic Pathway to Examine Intergenerational Conflicts in Chinese Immigrant Families

Abstract

This article discusses the influence of culture on human emotions and behavior and its significance in understanding the nuances of distress in intergenerational conflicts among Chinese immigrant parents and their children. In examining the differences in values and norms between the two generations, and the inherent conflicts associated with acculturation in immigrant families, this article focuses on the culturally specific experience and expression of emotions underlying these issues. Case vignettes illustrate how cultural meanings often accentuate the interpretation of antagonistic and rejecting behavior as well as how they camouflage the need for validation between parents and children. Intervention approaches that aim to resolve the emotional impasse within the families are illustrated and discussed.