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Close parent-child ties in immigrants

Posted on: Friday, 5 June 2009, 23:05 CDT

U.S. psychologists say close family ties characterize many immigrant families -- especially Chinese-Americans.

In a special issue of the Journal of Family Psychology -- devoted to studying how immigrant families cope in their adopted countries -- several studies found extremely close ties between parents and children among Chinese-Americans affecting child behavior and mental health.

One study examining 444 families immigrating to the United States from China found teenagers -- especially older adolescents -- aware of their families' economic woes were more likely to suffer depressive symptoms and to do worse in school than those from families that were not as affected by money problems.

Another study found Chinese immigrant mothers of preschoolers more likely to engage in high levels of authoritative parenting practices -- defined as a close, nurturing relationship with a high level of expectations and guidelines -- and fewer behavioral problems in the children.

A third study determined Chinese-American parents' greater control of their children's behavior was linked to fewer behavior problems than white American parents experienced.

These findings highlight the important role of family obligation to Chinese-American adolescents mental health, lead author Linda Juang of San Francisco State University said in a statement.

Source: United Press International

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