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.)