Family Cultural Socialization, Ethnic Identity, and Self-Esteem

Abstract

Using a Web-based survey, this study of 82 adult international adoptees examined the relationship between parental support for cultural socialization and its effect on adoptees' self-esteem. Feelings of belongingness and ethnic identity were predicted to serve as mediators between the central variables. The results showed a positive relationship between cultural socialization and self-esteem, which was mediated by a feeling of belongingness and one aspect of ethnic identification (marginality) among Asian-born international adoptees. These data suggest that counselors should raise awareness and knowledge of adoptive parents about the importance of cultural continuity in the child's upbringing.Studies suggest that transracial adoptive parents' cultural competence and the extent to which adopted children are exposed to their culture of

Predictors of White Adoptive Parents’ Cultural and Racial Socialization Behaviors With Their Asian Adopted Children

“…Parents' cultural and racial socialization behaviors have been shown in previous studies to be important to an adoptive child's cultural and racial identity, selfesteem, and psychological adjustment (Mohanty et al, 2007;Yoon, 2001). The parents' behaviors result in information about culture and race being transmitted (or not) to the children.…”

Imaginarios situados: contribuciones del análisis audiovisual a la comprensión de la adopción

“…Thus, web-based questionnaires become useful tools to gain access to large delocalized samples or merely to simplify and increase the flexibility of complex surveys (Mohanty, Keoske and Sales 2006;Mohanty and Newhill 2011;Mohanty 2013). However, such potential should not conceal the less social impacts of Internet webpages on adoptees and other adoption communities.…”

Making Sense of Loss and Belongingness: Korean Transracial Adoptees' Journey from Europe to Korea

“…Although there is a small body of research that focuses on the development of ethnic identity among transracial adoptees and how adoptive parents culturally socialize their children (Johnston, Swim, Saltsman, Deater-Deckard, & Petrill, 2007;Lee & Quintana, 2005;Mohanty, Keokse, & Sales, 2008), these studies provide limited insight about the life-long process of adaptation within changing family dynamics. More research is needed to explain how transracial adoptees define themselves and their life experiences.…”