J Korean Acad Nurs.  2012 Dec;42(6):879-888. 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.879.

Effects of Korean Proficiency and Parent-child Cohesion on Self-esteem and Acculturation among Children from Multicultural Families

• Kim MY
• Lim JY
• Chung GH

• KMID: 1499515
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.879

Abstract

PURPOSE
There is evidence that parent-child cohesion is a potentially influential factor in children's self-esteem and acculturation. However, no research to date has examined cohesion with parents as a potential pathway between Korean proficiency and self-esteem or acculturation among children from multicultural families. This study was done to address these limitations by examining whether and to what extent cohesion with parents mediated the effect of Korean proficiency on self-esteem and acculturation among children from multicultural families.
METHODS
Data were collected from a sample of 138 mothers and their children living in Seoul, Daegu, Kyungi province, and Kyungpook province. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between the variables of interest. Mediation effects of cohesion with parents were tested by following the procedure recommended by Baron and Kenny (1986).
RESULTS
Cohesion with parents partially mediated the relationship between Korean proficiency and self-esteem. For children's acculturation, the effect of Korean proficiency was partially mediated through father-child cohesion. Mother-child cohesion completely mediated the relationship between Korean proficiency and acculturation.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that to help children from multicultural families experiencing difficulties with self-esteem or acculturation, it might be useful to develop programs that are aimed at strengthen cohesion with parents.

Keyword

Cultural diversity; Children; Family; Parent-child relations; Language ability; Self-esteem; Acculturation

MeSH Terms

*Acculturation
Adult
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Child
Cultural Diversity
*Father-Child Relations
Female
Humans
Male
*Mother-Child Relations
Questionnaires
Regression Analysis
Republic of Korea
*Self Concept

Figure

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  Figure 1 Conceptual framework (mediating effect).

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  Figure 2 Mediating effects of cohesion with father and mother.

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