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The Relationship between Differential Acculturation Levels and Perception of Intergenerational Conflict and Depression in Lao-American* Adolescents
Phoukham Kelly Bounkeua, M.A., LMHC

Ph.D. Candidate
Seattle Pacific University
Washington
USA

Abstract:

This study will examine the relationship between differential acculturation levels and perception of parent-child conflict on depression for Lao-American adolescents. A total sample of 111 Lao adolescents, 13-18 years of age, and their parents will be recruited from youth service agencies and the Lao community from the western portion of Washington State. Adolescents will be administered a total of four scales: the Asian American Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AAMAS) for self-evaluation, and additional copy of the AAMAS for the adolescents to rate their parents, Intergenerational Conflict Inventory: Adolescent’s version (ICI-A), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Due to the language barriers, the Laotian parents were orally administered two scales the AAMAS, and Intergenerational Conflict Inventory: Adolescent’s Parent Version (ICI-P).

The following hypotheses are based on the scales listed herein that will be administered in the study: 1) There will be significant differences between the adolescent’s self-reported acculturation and their parent’s self-reported acculturation levels. 2) There will be no significant difference between the adolescents’ perceptions of the parents’ acculturation level vs. the parents self-reported acculturation level. 3) The greater the difference in the self-reported acculturation levels between the adolescents and their parents, the higher the likelihood of the intergenerational conflicts rated by both of them... 4) The greater the difference in the self-reported acculturation levels between the adolescents and the parents, the higher the likelihood that the adolescents would report symptoms of depression. 5) The higher the likelihood of the intergenerational conflicts rated by adolescents and the parents, the higher the likelihood that adolescents would report symptoms of depression.
 


*Lao in this paper refers to all ethnic groups from Laos (e.g. Hmong, Mien, Khamu, Tai Lue, Tai Dam, etc.)