The Important Roles of Non-Parental Adults in Vietnamese-American Adolescents' Cultural and Socioemotional Development

Abstract

One-hundred and ninety-two Vietnamese-American high school students (mean age = 15.4 years) were surveyed about important non-parental adults (VIPs) in their lives (e.g., uncles, teachers) and provided information about them (e.g., perceived supportiveness, engagement in problem behavior). Correlational and regression analyses indicated that VIPs contributed significantly to adolescents' cultural and socioemotional adjustment including depressed mood, self-esteem, problem behavior, school attitudes, and involvement in American and Vietnamese cultures. Most of these contributions remained significant after controlling for parents' and friends' effects on these outcomes. Analyses of interactions showed that the effects of VIPs differed for males and females. The results demonstrate the critical role of VIPs in Vietnamese-American adolescent development. Implication for social work practice is discussed.

Keywords:

• mentoring
• Vietnamese-American adolescents
• depression
• self-esteem
• school attitudes
• socioemotional development

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the William T. Grant Foundation # 2636.