An investigation of social support, work stress, and strain among Chinese-Americans

Cultural differences between immigrant Chinese and American-born Chinese on the perception of social support, stress, and strain were investigated. A questionnaire with measures of occupational stress, strain, social support, and demographic information was mailed to Chinese Americans employed in three types of businesses. Questionnaires were collected from 30 American-born Chinese and 30 immigrant Chinese. The data failed to support the hypotheses for this study. No differences were found between American-born Chinese and immigrant Chinese in the amount of perceived work-related support or in the amount of perceived strain. Work-related support did not buffer the relationship between stress and strain greater than did nonwork-related support. Work-related support did not have a greater negative relationship with strain when compared with nonwork-related support and strain. A correlational analysis on the measures was done for both subject groups. Differences in the significant correlations are discussed.