Hmong American Sons and Daughters: Exploring Mechanisms of Parent-Child Acculturation Conflicts

This study examined gender differences in parent-child acculturation conflicts among Hmong American college students (N = 120) and tested whether cultural attributions or perceived control explained the relationship between acculturation conflict and psychological distress. No significant differences by gender of the student were found in acculturation conflict with either parent. In addition, cultural attributions did not moderate the relationship between acculturation conflict and psychological distress. However, perceived control mediated the relationship between acculturation conflict and distress for mothers and sons. Specifically, greater conflict between sons and mothers was related to lower perceived control, which in turn was related to higher psychological distress. These findings highlight the importance of understanding cultural and gender dynamics in parent-child relationship in Hmong American families.