Intergenerational Acculturation Conflict and Korean American Parents’ Depression Symptoms

Abstract

This study examined the links between intergenerational acculturation conflict and depression symptoms in 176 Korean American parents of children between the ages of 5 and 10. Approximately, 29% of fathers and 28% of mothers reported increased depression symptoms, which were related to parent-child acculturation conflict. Specific situations related to parental depression symptoms included conflicts over the child's social life, comparing the child with others, expressions of love, the importance of saving face, and proper Korean child's behavior. These findings can be used to develop a family intervention program to decrease parental depression symptoms by reducing parent-child acculturation conflict.