Acculturation and its implications on parenting for Chinese immigrants: a systematic review

J Transcult Nurs. 2014 Apr;25(2):145-58. doi: 10.1177/1043659613515720. Epub 2014 Jan 3.

Abstract

Purpose: To systematically review and synthesize existing findings on acculturation and its implications on parenting for Chinese immigrants.

Method: Three electronic databases were searched for original research articles that examined acculturation and its influence on parenting in Chinese immigrants.

Results: Twenty-two studies were included. Findings suggest that acculturation influences parenting beliefs, attitudes, and practices, as well as parent-child relationships among Chinese immigrants. Acculturation discrepancies between parents and children are associated with negative child outcomes.

Discussion and conclusions: Further research is needed to better understand the relationships among acculturation and parenting perceptions, parent-child relationships, and parent-child acculturation discrepancies and associated child outcomes. In particular, longitudinal studies with larger samples and multiple methods are needed to suggest causal inferences and validate these relationships.

Implications for practice: Nurses are at the unique junction to identify these problems through interacting with individuals and families at the clinical and mental/community health levels.

Keywords: Chinese; acculturation; family health; immigrant; parent; parenting; public health policy; transcultural health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation*
  • Canada
  • China / ethnology
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parenting / ethnology*
  • Parenting / psychology
  • United States