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. 2010 Jan 1;34(1):22-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2009.10.002.

Acculturation gaps in Vietnamese immigrant families: Impact on family relationships

Joyce Ho  1 , Dina Birman
Affiliations

Acculturation gaps in Vietnamese immigrant families: Impact on family relationships

Joyce Ho et al. Int J Intercult Relat. .

Abstract

Vietnamese immigrants in the United States face acculturation challenges involving the individual, family, and community. Experts suggest that immigrant family members acculturate at different rates resulting in an acculturation gap, which negatively influences family adjustment. In this study we examined the degree and patterns of acculturation differences between 104 first generation immigrant Vietnamese adolescents and their parents, and whether acculturation gap affected family relationships. Operationalizing the "gap" as both absolute value of differences in acculturation and interactions of parent and adolescent acculturation levels, we examined the impact of such gaps in Vietnamese and American language, identity, and behavioral acculturation on family relationships. Results revealed that family cohesion and satisfaction were predicted by gaps in Vietnamese identity acculturation, but not by gaps in other acculturation domains.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Interaction between parents’ and adolescents’ Vietnamese identity and association with family cohesion.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interaction between parents’ and adolescents’ Vietnamese identity and association with adolescents’ satisfaction with parents.
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