Abstract
Lui (2015) suggested that intergenerational family conflict can arise between immigrant children and parents due to differences in mainstream U.S. culture and traditional heritage culture. Thus, the present study examined whether Asian American college students' internalized racism and perceived mothers' and fathers' maintenance of heritage culture were related to intergenerational family conflict and, in turn, self-esteem. Data were collected from 465 self-identifying Asian American college students around the United States (Mage = 19.60, SD = 2.21). A path analysis revealed that when controlling for participant age, gender, and generational status, greater internalized racism and mothers' maintenance of heritage culture messages were linked to greater intergenerational family conflict with mothers and, in turn, lower self-esteem. In addition, internalized racism and greater perceived maintenance of heritage culture from fathers were positively related to intergenerational family conflict with fathers, but intergenerational family conflict with fathers was unrelated to self-esteem. Implications include teaching Asian American college students about the effects of internalized racism and developing interventions to mitigate mental health challenges and family conflicts among Asian Americans. Results highlight how larger macrosystems affect family dynamics and the well-being of Asian Americans and the need to improve the racial climate in the United States.
Public Policy Relevance Statement
The present study found that internalized racism and perceived mothers' maintenance of heritage culture messages may be associated with greater family conflict with mothers and, in turn, lower self-esteem among Asian American college students. Findings also revealed that internalized racism and fathers' maintenance of heritage culture messages were linked with family conflict with fathers but unrelated to self-esteem. Results highlight the importance of understanding the effects of larger macrosystems on family dynamics and the well-being of Asian Americans.