Acculturation, parenting behavior and parent-child interaction dynamics in first-generation Chinese immigrant families in the UK

• In Event: Parenting processes and child outcomes among Chinese families in three Western contexts

Abstract

Like many socialization processes, parenting practices are influenced by the socio-cultural context parents are in or acculturating to (e.g., Costigan & Su, 2003; Cheah et al., 2009). Acculturation theory (Berry, 1997) suggests that the receiving contexts have significant effects on immigrants and immigrant parents’ parenting practices (e.g., Cheah et al., 2009; Yu et al., 2016). However, research on Chinese immigrant families are predominantly North-American based, with few exceptions (e.g., Huang & Lamb, 2014; 2015). Yet, studies of this kind often rely on parents’ self-report, which may not always be consistent with their actual parenting practices (e.g., Bornstein, Cote & Venuti, 2001). Research adopting observational methods are still rare, particularly when examining ethnic minority families. Using observations of parenting behaviors as well as parent-child interaction dynamics can capture more culturally-relevant parenting behaviors. Therefore, this investigation of the Chinese diaspora in the UK using observations of parent-child interactions will add to our current understanding of Chinese diaspora outside of North America. The present study examined the associations between acculturation and observed parenting practice as well as parent-child interaction dynamics in first-generation Chinese immigrant mothers in the UK.
Participants included 37 first-generation Chinese immigrant mothers in the U.K. (M age= 36.8, SD = 3.97) and their children (M age=6.08, SD=0.92). The General Ethnicity Questionnaires (Tsai et al., 2000) was used to measure acculturation, and the mother-child dyads were observed for a 10 minutes Etch-A-Sketch task in their own homes. Mother-child interaction dynamics during the task (reciprocity, conflict, and cooperation; Kappa=.92) and mothers’ parenting behaviors (positive and negative control, positive and negative affect, and responsiveness; Kappa=.84) were video-recorded and coded with the Parent-Child Interaction System (Deater-Deckard, 2000).
Results revealed significant associations between observed dyadic cooperation and mothers’ affiliation to the Chinese culture (r=-.327, p<.05). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine how acculturation and maternal behaviors affect interaction dynamics after controlling for the effects of child age, gender and length of time living in the U.K.. Results showed that maternal positive control (t=3.128, p<.01) significantly predicted dyadic reciprocity (R2=.908, F(10, 26)= 25.650, p<.01). Maternal positive control (t=3.875, p<.01) and affiliation with Chinese culture (t=-2.486, p<.05) significantly predicted dyadic cooperation (R2=.912, F(10, 26)=33.698, p<.01). Maternal positive affect (t=3.131, p<.01) and negative affect (t=2.941, p<.01) significantly predicted dyadic conflict (R2=.984, F(10, 26)=170.966, p<.001).
The findings were generally consistent with previous reports in the North America that immigrant Chinese parents still endorse Chinese culture and parenting practices (e.g., Lau, 2010). U.K. Chinese immigrant mothers showed strong affiliation to their heritage culture (c.f., findings from Tsai et al, 2000), which may be supported by the U.K. multiculturalism policy. Moreover, immigrant mothers’ affiliation with Chinese culture negatively contributed to dyadic cooperation, whereas their affiliation with English culture was not associated with any observed parenting behaviors or dyadic interaction dynamic indices. Maternal positive control contributed to more reciprocal and cooperative mother-child interaction, and maternal affect were associated with dyadic conflicts. These findings will be discussed in light of the Chinese immigrant community and the UK receiving socio-cultural context.

Author

• Ching-Yu Huang, Keele University
  Presenting Author