Skip to main content

The Adjustment of Asian American Families to the U.S. Context: The Ecology of Strengths and Stress

  • Chapter
Handbook of Marriage and the Family

Abstract

The number of Asian American families is on the rise. Asian American families are a diverse group. This chapter focuses on Asian American families that migrated to the United States in the last three decades. This chapter challenges the media’s depiction of them as a Model Minority. Because of this stereotype, many challenges that this group encounters may not gain adequate attention. The chapter examines their strengths and resiliency, along with the ecology of stress that influences family dynamics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). (2001). In the middle: A report on multicultural boomers coping with family and aging issues. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/in_the_middle.pdf

  • Baumrind, D. (1971). Current patterns of parental authority. Developmental Psychology Monographs, 41, 1–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumrind, D. (1991). Parenting styles and adolescent development. In J. Brooks-Gunn, R. Lerner, & A. C. Peterson (Eds.), Encyclopedia of adolescence. New York: Garland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhatia, S. (2003). Is “integration” the developmental end goal for all immigrants? Redefining “acculturation strategies” from a genetic-dramatistic perspective. In I. E. Josephs (Ed.), Dialogicality in development (pp. 198–216). Westport, CT: Praeger/Greenwood.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berrol, S. C. (1995). Growing up American: Immigrant children in America, then and now. New York: Twayne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (1980). Acculturation as varieties of adaptation. In A. M. Padilla (Ed.), Acculturation: Theory, models, and some new findings (pp. 9–25). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (2001). A psychology of immigration. Journal of Social Issues, 57(1), 615–631.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blair, R. G. (2000). Risk factors associated with PTSD and major depression among Cambodian refugees in Utah. Health & Social Work, 25, 23–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bui, H. N., & Morash, M. (1999). Domestic violence in the Vietnamese immigrant community. Violence Against Women, 5, 769–795.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush, K. R., Bohon, S. A., & Kim, H. (2009). Stress and coping among immigrant families. In S. J. Price & C. Price (Eds.), Families and change: Coping with stressful events and transitions (4th ed., pp. 285–310). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casas, C. E. (1979). Relationship patterns of strong families in Latin America. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, S. (1991). Asian Americans: An interpretive history. New York: Twayne Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chao, R. K. (1994). Beyond parental control and authoritarian parenting style: Understanding Chinese parenting through the cultural notion of training. Child Development, 65, 1111–1119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C., & Stevenson, H. W. (1995). Motivation and mathematics achievement: A comparative study of Asian-American, Caucasian-American, and East Asian high school students. Child Development, 66(4), 1215–1234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi, G. (1997). Acculturative stress, social support, and depression in Korean American families. Journal of Family Social Work, 2(1), 81–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chow, N. W. S. (1996). Filial piety in Asian Chinese communities. Hong Kong Journal of Gerontology, 10, 115–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chung, R. C. Y., & Bemak, F. (2006). Counseling Americans of Southeast Asian descent: The impact of refugee experience. In C. C. Lee (Ed.), Multicultural issues in counseling: New approaches to diversity (3rd ed., pp. 151–170). Alexandria, VA: American Association for Counseling and Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chung, R. H. G. (2001). Gender, ethnicity, and acculturation in intergenerational conflict of Asian American college students. Cultural Diversity & Ethnicity Minority Psychology, 7, 376–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coehlo, G. V., Yuan, Y. T., & Ahmed, P. I. (1980). Contemporary uprooting and collaborative coping: Behavioral and societal responses. In G. V. Coelho, P. I. Ahmed, & Y. T. Yuan (Eds.), Uprooting and development (pp. 5–17). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costigan, C. L., & Dokis, D. P. (2006). Relations between parent-child acculturation differences and adjustment within immigrant Chinese families. Child Development, 77, 1252–1267.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeFrain, J., & Asay, S. M. (2007). Strong families around the world. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeFrain, J., & Stinett, N. (2002). Family strengths. In J. J. Ponzetti (Ed.), International encyclopedia of marriage and family (pp. 637–642). New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dion, K. K., & Dion, K. L. (2001). Gender and cultural adaptation in families. Journal of Social Issues, 57(3), 511–521.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espiritu, Y. L. (1999). Gender and labor in Asian immigrant families. American Behavioral Scientist, 42, 628–647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, S., McDowell, T., Goldfarb, K., MacDonald, A., Perumbilly, S., & Gonzalez-Kruger, G. (2008). Viewing the Asian American experience through a culturally centered research lens: Do scholarship in family science and related discipline fall short? Marriage and Family Review, 44(1), 33–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forsyth, A., Greenhouse, E., Wells, N., Maxwell, L., Laquatra, J., Kay, D., et al. (2009). Residential environments for older Americans and their sustainability: From the room to the region. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/devsoc/outreach/environment-and-community/upload/ResidentialEnvirons.pdf

  • Fuligni, A. J., Tseng, V., & Lam, M. (1999). Attitudes toward family obligations among American adolescents from Asian, Latin American, and European backgrounds. Child Development, 70(4), 1030–1044.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gee, G. C., Delva, J., & Takeuchi, D. T. (2007). Relationships between self-reported unfair treatment and prescription medication use, illicit drug use, and alcohol dependence among Filipino Americans. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 933–940.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gee, G. C., Spencer, M., Chen, J., Yip, T., & Takeuchi, D. T. (2007). The association between self-reported racial discrimination and 12-month DSM-IV mental disorders among Asian Americans nationwide. Social Science & Medicine, 64, 1984–1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, G. C. N., & Eap, S. (2007). Empirically supported therapies for Asian Americans. In F. T. L. Leung, A. G. Inman, A. Ebreo, L. H. Yang, L. Kinoshita, & M. Fu (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 449–467). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinton, D. E., Rasmussen, A., Leakhena, N., Pollack, M. H., & Good, M. (2009). Anger, PTSD, and the nuclear family: A study of Cambodian refugees. Social Science & Medicine, 69, 1387–1394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, D. Y. F. (1981). Traditional patterns of socialization in Chinese society. Acta Psychologica Tawanica, 23, 81–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, J. (1985). The Chinese family: Relations, problems and therapy. In W. Tseng & D. Y. H. Wu (Eds.), Chinese culture and mental health (pp. 95–112). Orlando, FL: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurh, W., & Kim, K. (1990). Religious participation of Korean immigrants in the United States. Journal for the Scientific Studies of Religion, 29(1), 19–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii-Kuntz, M. (1997a). Chinese American families. In M. K. DeGenova (Ed.), Families in cultural context. New York: Mayfield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii-Kuntz, M. (1997b). Japanese American families. In M. K. DeGenova (Ed.), Families in cultural context. New York: Mayfield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii-Kuntz, M. (1997c). Intergenerational relationships among Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Americans. Family Relations, 46(1), 23–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii-Kuntz, M. (2000). Diversity within Asian American families. In D. H. Demo, K. R. Allen, & M. A. Fine (Eds.), Handbook of family diversity. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii-Kuntz, M. (2004). Asian American families: Diverse history, contemporary trends, and the future. In M. Coleman & L. H. Ganong (Eds.), Handbook of contemporary families: Considering the past, contemplating the future (pp. 369–384). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kao, G. (1995). Asian-Americans as model minorities? A look at their academic performance. American Journal of Education, 103, 121–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, B. S. K., & Abreu, J. M. (2001). Acculturation measurement: Theory, current instruments and future directions. In J. G. Ponterontto, J. M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, & C. M. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural counseling (2nd ed., pp. 394–424). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, E. (2002). The relationship between parental involvement and children’s educational achievement in the Korean immigrant family. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 33(4), 529–540.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, I. (1981). New urban immigrants: The Korean community in New York. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, I. J., Lau, A. S., & Chang, D. F. (2007). Family violence among Asian Americans. In F. T. L. Leong, A. G. Inman, A. Ebreo, L. H. Yang, & M. Fu (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 69–86). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S., & Kim, K. C. (2001). Intimacy at a distance, Korean American style: Invited Korean elderly and their married children. In L. Katz (Ed.), Age through ethnic lenses: Caring for the elderly in a multicultural society (pp. 45–58). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, U., & Chun, M. (1994). Educational ‘success’ of Asian Americans: An indigenous perspective. Applied Behavioral Development, 15, 328–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. Y. (1995). Cross-cultural adaptation: An integrative theory. In R. L. Wiseman (Ed.), Intercultural communication theory (pp. 170–193). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kritz, M. M., Gurak, D. T., & Chen, L. (2000). Elderly immigrants: Their composition and living arrangements. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 27, 85–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lan, P. C. (2002). Subcontracting filial piety: Elder care in ethnic Chinese immigrant families in California. Journal of Family Issues, 23(7), 812–835.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le, H., Berenbaum, H., & Raghavan, C. (2002). Culture and alexithymia: Mean levels, correlates, and the role of parental socialization of emotions. Emotion, 2, 341–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G. R., Netzer, J. K., & Coward, R. T. (1994). Filial responsibility expectations and patterns of intergenerational assistance. Journal of Marriage and Family, 56, 559–565.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G. Y., & Angel, R. J. (2002). Living arrangements and supplemental security income use among elderly Asians and Hispanics in the United States: The role of nativity and citizenship. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 28(3), 553–563.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, L. C., & Zhan, G. (1998). Psychosocial status of children and youths. In L. C. Lee & N. W. S. Zane (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 137–164). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leong, F. T. L., & Grand, J. A. (2008). Career and work implications of the model minority myth. In G. Li & L. Wang (Eds.), Model minority myth revisited: An interdisciplinary approach to demystifying Asian American educational experiences (pp. 91–115). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leong, K. L., Airriess, C. A., Li, W., Chen, A. C., & Keith, V. M. (2007). Resilient history and rebuilding a community: The Vietnamese American community in New Orleans East. The Journal of American History, 94, 770–779.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, J., Brown, J. W., Krause, N., Ofstedal, M. B., & Bennett, J. (2005). Health and living arrangements of older Americans: Does marriage matter? Journal of Aging and Health, 17(3), 305–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lo, Y. (2010). The impact of acculturation process on Asian American youth’s psychological well-being. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23(2), 84–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowinger, R. J., & Kwok, H. (2001). Parental overprotection in Asian American children: A psychodynamic clinical perspective. Psychotherapy, 38, 319–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lui, W. M. (2002). Exploring the lives of Asian American men: Racial identity, male role norms, gender role conflict, and prejudicial attitudes. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 3(2), 107–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lum, J. L. (1998). Family violence. In C. C. Lee & N. W. S. Zane (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 505–526). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medora, N., Larson, J., & Parul, B. (2000). East-Indian college student’s perceptions of family strengths. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 31, 407–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mental Health America. (2006). Mental health America attitudinal survey: Americans reveal top stressors, how they cope. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=ABD3DC4E-1372-4D20-C8274399C9476E26

  • Min, P. G. (1998). Changes and conflicts: Korean immigrant families: New York. Boston: Allyn Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Min, P. G. (2006). Asian Americans: Contemporary trends and issues (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mistry, R. S., Benner, A. D., Tan, C. S., & Kim, S. Y. (2009). Family economic stress and academic well-being among Chinese American Youth: The influence of adolescents’ perceptions of economic strain. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 279–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moyerman, D. R., & Foreman, B. D. (1992). Acculturation and adjustment: A meta-analytic study. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 14(2), 163–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mui, A. C., & Burnette, J. D. (1994). A comparative profile of frail elderly living alone and those living with others. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 21, 5–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nghe, L. T., Mahalik, J. R., & Lowe, S. M. (2003). Influences on Vietnamese men: Examining traditional gender roles, the refugee experience, acculturation, and racism in the United States. Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 31, 245–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ngyuen, L., & Huang, L. N. (2007). Understanding Asian American youth development: A social ecological perspective (pp. 67–103). In F. T. L. Leong, A. G. Inman, A. Ebreo, L. H. Yang, & M. Fu (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 69–86). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okazaki, S., Lee, R. M., & Sue, S. (2007). Theoretical and conceptual models: Toward Asian American psychology. In F. T. L. Leong, A.G. Inman, A. Ebreo, L. H. Yang, & M. Gu (Eds.). Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 29–46). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., & DeFrain, J. (2003). Marriage and the family: Intimacy, strengths and diversity. New York: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osako, M. M., & Lui, W. T. (1986). Intergenerational relations and the aged among Japanese Americans. Research on Aging, 8, 128–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, Y. S., Vo, L. P., & Tsong, Y. (2009). Family affection as a protective factor against the negative effects of perceived Asian values gap on the parent–child relationship for Asian American male and female college students. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 15(1), 18–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phua, V. C., Kaufman, G., & Park, K. S. (2001). Strategic adjustments of elderly Asian Americans: Living arrangements and headship. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 23, 263–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. G. (1996). Immigrant America. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyke, K. (2005). “Generational deserters” and “blacksheep”: Acculturative differences among siblings in Asian immigrant families. Journal of Family Issues, 26, 491–517.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin, D. B. (2006). The role of gender in immigrant children’s educational adaptation. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 9(1), 8–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhee, S., Chang, J., & Rhee, J. (2003). Acculturation, communication patterns, and self-esteem among Asian American and Caucasian American adolescents. Adolescence, 38(152), 749–768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumbaut, R. G. (1994). The crucible within: Ethnic identity, self-esteem, and segmented assimilation among children of immigrants. International Migration Review, 28(4), 748–794.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryder, A. G., Alden, L. E., & Paulhus, D. L. (2000). Is acculturation unidimensional or bidimensional? A head-to-head comparison in the prediction of personality, self-identity, and adjustment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 49–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smart, J. F., & Smart, D. W. (1995). Acculturative stress among Hispanic: Loss and challenge. Journal of Counseling and Development, 73, 390–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sodowsky, G. R., Kwan, K. K., & Pannu, R. (1995). Ethnic identity of Asians in the United States. In J. G. Ponterotto, J. M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, & C. M. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural counseling (pp. 123–154). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorenson, C. (1994). Success and education in South Korea. Comparative Education Review, 38(1), 10–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spera, C., Wentzel, K. R., & Matto, H. C. (2009). Parental aspirations for their children’s educational attainment: Relations to ethnicity, parental education, children’s academic performance, and parental perceptions of school climate. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 1140–1152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stinnett, N., & DeFrain, J. (1985). Secrets of strong families. Boston: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suárez-Orozco, C., & Qin, D. B. (2006). Gendered perspectives in psychology: Immigrant origin youth. International Migration Review, 40(1), 165–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suárez-Orozco, C., & Suárez-Orozco, M. M. (2002). Children of immigration. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D., Mak, W., & Sue, D. W. (1998). Ethnic identity. In L. C. Lee & N. W. S. Zane (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 289–323). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2008). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (5th ed.). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, S., & Abe, J. (1995). Predictors of academic achievement among Asian-American and White students (Report No. 88-11). College Board Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaca, J. S., Ebreo, A., Linn, N., & Morera, O. F. (1998). Research methods: The construct validity of self-identity and its psychological implications. In L. C. Lee & N. W. S. Zane (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 21–79). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, M. (2008). Psychological impacts of “model minority” on Asian American. In G. Li & L. Wang (Eds.), Model minority myth revisited: An interdisciplinary approach to demystifying Asian American educational experiences (pp. 117–132). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, T. N., & Dion, K. L. (1999). Gender and acculturation in relation to traditionalism: Perceptions of self and parents among Chinese students. Sex Roles, 41, 17–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. A., Ross, S. L., Bednarz, B. A., Herbig, C., & Lee, S. J. (2003). Discrimination in metropolitan housing markets: Phase 2—Asians and Pacific Islanders. The Urban Institute. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/phase2_exec_summary.pdf

  • Treas, J. (2008). Transnational older adults and their families. Family Relations, 57(4), 468–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Treas, J., & Mazumdar, S. (2004). Kinkeeping and caregiving: Contributions of older people in immigrant families. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 35(1), 105–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Census Bureau, U. S. (2000). Current population survey. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2004). Race data. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/race/ppl-184.html

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2008). 2008 American Community Survey 1-year estimates. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2009a). 2009 American Community Survey 1-year estimates, selected population profile. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IPCharIterationServlet?_ts=314295455122

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2009b). Current Population Survey. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/cpstables/032010/hhinc/new01_000.htm

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2011). The 2011 statistical abstract. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/population.html

  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). (2000). Mental health care for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Office of the Surgeon General. Retrieved on July 1, 2010, from http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cre/ch5_introduction.asp

  • U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service. (1991). 1990 statistical yearbook of the immigration and naturalization service. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varma, R. (2004). Asian Americans: Achievements mask challenge. Asian Journal of Social Science, 32(2), 290–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waters, M. (1997). Immigrant families at risk: Factors that undermined chances of success. In A. Booth, A. C. Crouter, & N. Landal (Eds.), Immigration and the family: Research and policy on US immigrants (pp. 79–87). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilmoth, J. M. (2001). Living arrangements among older immigrants in the United States. The Gerontologist, 41, 228–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woelz-Stirling, N., Manderson, L., Kelaher, M., & Gordon, S. (2000). Marital conflict and finances among Filipinas in Australia. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 24, 791–805.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, I., & Lai, P. (2000). Chinese cultural values and performance at job interviews: A Singapore perspective. Business Communication Quarterly, 63(1), 9–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. G. (1998). The Chinese American family. In C. H. Mindel, R. W. Habenstein, & R. Wright (Eds.), Ethnic families in America (pp. 284–310). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia, Y., Xie, X., & Zhou, Z. (2005). Case study: Resiliency in immigrant families. In V. L. Bengtson, A. Acock, K. Allen, P. Dilworth-Anderson, & D. Klein (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theory and research (pp. 108–111). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia, Y., Xie, X., Zhou, Z., DeFrain, J., Meredith, W., & Combs, R. (2004). Chinese adolescents’ decision-making, parent-adolescent communication and relationship. Marriage and Family Review, 35, 119–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, X., DeFrain, J., Meredith, W., & Combs, R. (1996). Family strengths in the People’s Republic of China. International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 26(2), 17–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, X., Xia, Y., & Zhou, Z. (2004). Strengths and resiliency in Chinese immigrant families. Great Plains Research, 14(2), 203–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yee, B. W. K., DeBarysche, B. D., Yuen, S., Kim, S. Y., & McCubbins, H. I. (2006). Asian American and Pacific Islander families: Resiliency and life-span socialization in a cultural context. In F. T. L. Leong, A. G. Inman, A. Ebreo, L. H. Yang, & M. Fu (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American psychology (pp. 69–86). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, H. C., Gee, G. C., & Takeuchi, D. (2009). Discrimination and health among Asian American immigrants: Disentangling racial from language discrimination. Social Science & Medicine, 68, 726–732.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, S. H., & Sung, K. T. (1997). Elderly Koreans’ tendency to live independently from their adult children: Adaptation to cultural differences in America. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 12, 225–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshioka, M. R., Dang, Q., Shewmangal, N., Chan, C., & Tan, C. I. (2000). Asian family violence report: A study of the Chinese, Cambodian, Korean, South Asian and Vietnamese communities in Massachusetts. Boston, MA: Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, M. (1997). Growing up American: The challenge confronting immigrant children and children of immigrants. Annual Review of Sociology, 23, 63–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zia, H. (2000). Asian American dreams: The emergence of an American people. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yan Ruth Xia PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Xia, Y.R., Do, K.A., Xie, X. (2013). The Adjustment of Asian American Families to the U.S. Context: The Ecology of Strengths and Stress. In: Peterson, G., Bush, K. (eds) Handbook of Marriage and the Family. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3987-5_29

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics