Culture and Family Process: Measures of Familism for Filipino and Korean American Parents

Abstract

This study tests the psychometric properties of multiple survey items and scales that are either underused or newly developed to assess familism among Asian Americans. Using data collected from 150 Filipino and 188 Korean American parents (mostly mothers) in the Midwest region in 2013, the measures were examined for validity and reliability for each group and, when appropriate, for cross-cultural equivalence across the groups. Several scales and their items showed high quality psychometric properties and are ready for use to more accurately assess family process of each target group and to conduct comparative analyses. The findings also show that, contrary to the expectation, Filipino American families express more traditional aspects of familism than do Korean American families, and are more likely to reinforce traditional familism beliefs and behaviors among their children. This study reinforces a need for more empirical- and subgroup-specific research effort.

Explicating Acculturation Strategies among Asian American Youth: Subtypes and Correlates across Filipino and Korean Americans

“…In particular, there is a scarcity of scholarship at the subgroup level. Though Asian Americans broadly may share aspects of family process, specific variables such as the gendered treatment of children and boundaries of family obligations are likely to differ across subgroups (Choi, Kim, Noh, Lee, & Takeuchi, 2017; Paik et al, 2017; Choi et al, 2008). Contemporary scholarship on Asian Americans, spurred by unprecedented levels of Asian immigration to the U.S., has only recently begun to differentiate among the over twenty Asian American subgroups, each with their distinct culture and sociopolitical context (Trinh-Shevrin, Islam, & Rey, 2009).…”

“…To address these gaps in the literature, the present study uses latent profile analysis (LPA) to uncover latent subtypes of acculturation strategy among Filipino American and Korean American adolescents. These two groups share the pan-ethnic label of “Asian American,” but are notably dissimilar in acculturation patterns, family characteristics and youth outcomes (Choi, 2008; Choi et al, 2017). Identifying associations between the subtypes and a wide range of correlates including family process variables and youth outcomes will illuminate constructive acculturation strategies among Asian American subgroups, as well as bolster effective intervention among the rapidly growing population of Asian American adolescents.…”

“…With notable exceptions, the literature suggests that heritage retention, such as ethnic identity and heritage language competence, is associated with positive development among Asian American adolescents. A handful of studies have found that Asian American youth who retain, at least partially, heritage language competency or ethnic identity had positive associations with their family processes, demonstrating that family process may mediate the impact of acculturation strategies on youth outcomes (Choi, Kim, Pekelnicky, et al, 2017; Dinh & Nguyen, 2006; Tseng & Fuligni, 2000). Other studies uphold the immigrant paradox, whereby positive adolescent outcomes diminish as assimilation into the host country increases (Takeuchi, Hong, Gile, & Alegria, 2007).…”

“…Other studies uphold the immigrant paradox, whereby positive adolescent outcomes diminish as assimilation into the host country increases (Takeuchi, Hong, Gile, & Alegria, 2007). Though rapid assimilation of immigrants may be seen as desirable by the mainstream culture (Vigor, 2008), the actual impact of assimilation on family process should not be presumed, particularly as studies show that correlates in adolescent outcomes may differ across disparate domains of acculturation and enculturation (Choi, Kim, Pekelnicky, et al, 2017; Choi et al, 2016). This study, although not testing the interplay of acculturation, family process and youth outcomes in mediational models, aims to enhance a general understanding by investigating bivariate associations among the variables, which can lay the foundation for future and more complex analyses.…”

“…A 22-year review found that more than half of the studies on acculturation were conducted with college students, who are by definition marked by a specific academic and social environment as well as unique transition into adulthood (Yang, Langehr, & Ong, 2011). Further, measures of family process validated across Asian American subgroups are rare (for an exception, see Choi, Kim, Noh, et al, 2017), as are models of acculturation that account for subgroup differences. Berry’s model, while still influential, has been criticized for insensitivity to group saliency (Schwartz & Zamboanga, 2008).…”