Family risk and protective factors in Chinese American families compared to Asian and non-Asian families

The Chinese population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S.A and experiences differential generational acculturation in families. This pilot study focused on finding out what risk and protective factors are associated with Chinese immigrant families in the U.S.A by comparing Asian and non-Asian families. First, Asian families (Asian n = 50 vs. Strengthening Families Program (SFP) n = 3,500) needs assessment and SFP outcomes were obtained after analyzing the archived SFP database. Asian families had a higher family conflict than non-Asian families and SFP helped Asian families more to improve their family harmony. Then, the new needs assessment online SFP survey for Chinese families living in the U.S.A was conducted. After comparing 50 Chinese responses with 56 Asian and 50 randomized non-Asian families, the results showed unexpectedly that Chinese families had much better family relationships and fewer children's behavioral problems except hyperactivity. Overall, Chinese families are still faced with a parent-child acculturation gap. Implications of the findings for research and practice as well as the limitations of the study are discussed.