Family Relationship, Stress Level, and Academic Achievement of Chinese Immigrant Girls in Australia

Abstract

The adjustment of Chinese adolescent immigrant girls in Australia was the focus of this study. Specifically, stress level, parent-child conflict, and academic achievement of these girls were examined in the light of factors such as length of residence in Australia, country of origin, and ethnic identification. A questionnaire administered to 99 Chinese immigrant girls attending Melbourne high schools showed that adjustment was related to degree of Chinese identification, length of residence in Australia, and countries of origin. Length of residence in Australia was related to academic achievement. Degree of Chinese identification was related to stress level and parent-child conflict. Auspices of immigration were related to both academic achievement and stress level. The study suggests that Chinese immigrant girls are not a homogeneous group and, therefore, that service providers must be responsive to the needs of diflerent groups.

Keywords::

• Achievement
• Adolescence
• Chinese
• Ethnic Identification
• Family
• Females
• Immigration
• Stress