The effects of acculturative variables on Asian American parent–child relationships

Abstract

This study investigated acculturation and the perceived parent–child acculturative gap as predictors of the quality of parent–child relationships among 172 Asian American college students and their parents. It was expected that both acculturation level and perceived parent–child acculturative gap would play significant roles. The results showed that only perceived parent–child acculturative gap was significant across all assessed dimensions of the mother–child relationship (depth, support, conflict, and satisfaction), whereas both acculturation level and perceived parent–child acculturative gap were significant in only two dimensions of the father–child relationship (conflict and satisfaction). Overall, perceived parent–child acculturative gap was a stronger predictor than was acculturation level. Findings from this study provide implications for future research and intervention approaches with Asian American families.