Family Processes and Adolescent Achievement Motivation in Poor Chinese Single-Mother Families

Abstract

This study examined the moderation effect of family functioning on the relationship between maternal expectations of the children’s future and adolescent achievement motivation in a sample of 432 Chinese single-mother families experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong. Results indicated that family functioning moderated the influence of maternal expectations of the children’s future on adolescent achievement motivation. The relationship between maternal expectations and adolescent achievement motivation was significantly positive in single-mother families having higher family functioning, while the relationship was not significant in those families with relatively lower family functioning. The main and moderating effects were found stable between immigrant and nonimmigrant mothers. The present study provides important insight into how single-mother families living in poverty strive to nurture their children in the face of adversity. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.