An Exploration of Parenting Practices Among Chinese Immigrant Families in the United States: Does Perceived Normativeness Matter?

Abstract

Utilizing theses within IPARTheory, parenting styles framework, and the cultural normativeness hypothesis, this study examined relations between mothers’ and adolescents’ perceptions of guan and shaming practices and grades and psychological distress, and whether the perceived normativeness of these two parenting practices moderated these links among Chinese immigrant families in the United States. Both mothers and adolescents reported elevated levels of guan and low levels of shaming practices. Mothers’ reports of shaming were related to adolescents’ psychological distress but not grades. Adolescents’ reports of guan and shaming were significantly related to their grades but not psychological distress. Adolescents’ perceived normativeness of the use of shaming moderated the association between maternal use of shaming and psychological distress. Implications of the use of guan and shaming for adolescents’ academic performance and psychological well-being are discussed.