Enculturation of Korean American Adolescents Within Familial and Cultural Contexts: The Mediating Role of Ethnic Identity

Author: Kim Park, Irene J.

Source: Family Relations, Volume 56, Number 4, October 2007 , pp. 403-412(10)

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Abstract:

The purpose of the present study was to test a socialization model in which ethnic identity mediated the relationship between 3 domains of family processes and 1 key aspect of enculturation: native language fluency. Data from a sample of 112 Korean American adolescents living in the Midwest revealed that adolescent ethnic identity partially mediated the influence of family cohesion on their Korean language fluency. Findings suggest that ethnic identity may serve as a mechanism through which family relations influence adolescents' native language fluency. Implications for adolescent and family adaptation are discussed within an ecological framework, including potential strategies for strengthening ethnic identity.

Keywords: Asian adolescents; enculturation; ethnic identity; family processes; immigration; native language fluency

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2007.00469.x

Publication date: 2007-10-01