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A Person-centered Approach to Studying the Linkages among Parent–Child Differences in Cultural Orientation, Supportive Parenting, and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms in Chinese American Families

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Abstract

This longitudinal study examined whether supportive parenting mediates relations between parent–child differences in cultural orientation (generational dissonance) and depressive symptoms with a sample of 451 first and second generation Chinese American parents and adolescents (12–15 years old at time 1). Using a person-centered approach, meaningful typologies of cultural orientation were derived for fathers, mothers, and adolescents. Overall, results provided support, though qualified, for the notion that generational dissonance is linked to depressive symptoms through decreased supportive parenting. In general, having a parent with a bicultural profile seemed to be most advantageous if adolescents similarly had a bicultural profile, whereas more American oriented adolescents with more Chinese oriented parents reported the least supportive parenting and most depressive symptoms. Directions for future research and the benefits of using a person-centered approach in research of acculturation and generational dissonance are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Research funds were provided by the Jacobs Foundation Young Investigator Grant awarded to Dr. Su Yeong Kim, and by the American Nurses Foundation Grant awarded to Dr. Angela Chia-Chen Chen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5010, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5010, USA

    Scott R. Weaver

  2. Department of Human Ecology, Division of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Su Yeong Kim

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  1. Scott R. Weaver
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Correspondence to Scott R. Weaver.

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Weaver, S.R., Kim, S.Y. A Person-centered Approach to Studying the Linkages among Parent–Child Differences in Cultural Orientation, Supportive Parenting, and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms in Chinese American Families. J Youth Adolescence 37, 36–49 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-007-9221-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-007-9221-3

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