Direct and Moderating Effects of Ethnic Identity

This study examines the relationship between two aspects of intergenerational conflict (acculturative and developmental) and depression among Korean American adolescents as well as the role of ethnic identity as a moderator of the relationship. First, the results of the study demonstrate that acculturative conflict has a greater impact on depression than developmental conflict. Second, the study indicates that ethnic identity predicts a decreased risk of depression. Finally, the study shows that the effect of acculturative conflict on depression is moderated by ethnic identity. In addition, the results suggest the need for further research in the area of ethnic identity and its unique relationship to psychosocial factors. Granting limitations imposed by the study design, the study supports the buffering role of ethnic identity and suggests a need for the enhancement of ethnic identity among Korean American adolescents.     

Reproductive Attitudes and Behavior Among Latina Adolescents

SUMMARY

This study examines the relationship between acculturation and sexual activity, contraceptive use and attitudes toward self. The sample consisted of 290 Latinas participating in a statewide adolescent pregnancy prevention program funded by the California Department of Health Services. Respondents were divided into three groups for purposes of analysis: those born outside the United States, those born in the United States who spoke primarily Spanish in the home, and those born in the United States who spoke primarily English in the home. Results indicated that less acculturated adolescents were less likely to engage in sexual activity. Place of birth was the most important predictor of differences in reproductive attitudes and behavior; language spoken in the home was not a predictor of sexual activity. There were no significant differences in contraceptive use among the sexually active respondents in the three groups. Respondents born outside of the United States had more negatives attitudes toward self on one measure; respondents born in the United States who spoke primarily Spanish in the home were more likely to plan to attend college, and to delay sexual activity because their parents would be upset, than the other groups. The authors suggest factors that may explain these differences in attitudes and behavior among the three groups.     

Identity development and transracial/ethnic adoption: some challenges for practice

Issues of identity and its development are of huge importance in transracial/ethnic adoptions. Theoretical approaches that relate to racial/ethnic identity development include Cross's racial, Phinney's ethnic identity development, Berry's acculturation model. This article examines these models and their relevance in understanding identity development of transracial/ethnic adolescent adoptees. Successful negotiation of one's racial/ethnic identity is crucial to the development of a functional self-concept and positive self-evaluations for transracial/ethnic adoptees. Practitioners need to be aware of the unique experiences of transracially adopted adolescents that shape racial/ethnic identity development and take an active approach in helping transracial adoptees build positive self-images of themselves.     

留美亚裔青少年跨文化适应困境与对策

文化适应已成为移民研究的重要领域之一。随着美国亚裔人口的急剧增长,亚裔青少年的比重也逐年增加,亚裔青少年跨文化适应问题日益凸显,并引起了西方学界的关注。文章梳理了国外文献中关于留美亚裔青少年在跨文化适应中面临的一系列困难如语言障碍、文化认同危机、心理适应困难以及高风险行为等,并提出促进留美亚裔青少年跨文化适应的对策,为中国青少年留学生出国提供参考。     

Trajectories of discrimination among Chinese American youth: Variation,predictors, and outcomes

Using 3 waves of longitudinal data from 444 Chinese American adolescents (M_age = 13.04 at Wave 1, 54% identified as women), the current study explored if there was variation in discrimination trajectories from early to late adolescence and whether contextual and individual factors predicted trajectories as well as if trajectories were associated with academic achievement and mental health. Three distinct discrimination trajectories were identified: low-increasing, moderate-stable, and high-decreasing. The results also revealed that neighborhood Chinese concentration and adolescents' acculturation predicted discrimination trajectories. Different trajectories were also associated with depressive symptoms; adolescents in the high-decreasing trajectory reported higher levels of depressive symptoms in late adolescence than in the other two trajectories. The findings highlight the heterogeneity in Chinese American adolescents' discrimination experience.