Ethnic Identity, Second Generation Chinese Americans, and Mental Well-Bein

Second Generation Chinese Americans face unique challenges in ethnic identity development that significantly impact their mental well-being. Eight Second Generation Chinese Americans, ages 18 to 28, were administered a standardized, open-ended interview and asked about their experiences growing up, and influences on the development of their sense of ethnic identity and mental well-being. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results indicated that internal and external factors interacted to influence ethnic development and well-being. This interaction was best understood by listening to the participants' own narratives and what importance and meaning they attached to life events and experiences. Interacting factors were: whether or not there was a strong connection to a Chinese community, the parents' acculturation level, or openness to U.S. culture, cultural conflicts in family relationships, and conflicts between internalized Chinese and Western cultural values. Cultural conflicts in family relationships were a central factor in influencing ethnic development and mental well-being. The participants' ethnic identity development changed overtime. They underwent stages in ethnic identity development, going from a stage of unawareness in preschool to a stage of awareness and resentment in elementary school brought on by encounters with the dominant society, this stage persisted through middle school, until high school and in college when they began to explore, accept, and integrate their bi-cultural identities. Negative encounters with the dominant society of racism and discrimination negatively impacted their mental well-being, contributing to low self-esteem and depressive symptoms. All the participants had internalized traditional Chinese values which they identified as collectivistic, showing respect for elders, parents and authority figures, and working hard. They identified the differences between Western and Chinese cultural values they had internalized as a primary source of conflict effecting on their relationship with their family. Protective factors in ethnic development and mental well-being were being understood by parents, having a strong connection to a Chinese community, having knowledge of Chinese culture and history, and engaging in exploration of identity and choices.