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Parent-Adolescent Ethnic Identity Discrepancies and Adolescent Psychosocial Maladjustment: A Study of Gender Differences

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of parent–adolescent ethnic identity disparities on the psychosocial adjustment of an ethnically diverse sample (n = 174, female = 96) of adolescents (M = 16.05, SD = 1.30). Findings from this investigation suggest gender differences in links between parent and adolescent acculturation disparities and psychosocial maladjustment. Whereas parent–child conflict regarding affiliating with the dominant group was associated with higher levels of depression and social stress for females, this was not the case for males. Implications for social workers providing services to youth and families struggling to acculturate are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648-3099, USA

    Nadia S. Ansary, Elaine Scorpio & Donjae Catanzariti

  2. Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA

    Donjae Catanzariti

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  1. Nadia S. Ansary
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  2. Elaine Scorpio
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  3. Donjae Catanzariti
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Correspondence to Nadia S. Ansary.

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Ansary, N.S., Scorpio, E. & Catanzariti, D. Parent-Adolescent Ethnic Identity Discrepancies and Adolescent Psychosocial Maladjustment: A Study of Gender Differences. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 30, 275–291 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-012-0292-y

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