Maternal and paternal acceptance and childhood outcomes among Korean immigrant families

What is it about?

Drawing on interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory, this study examined the associations between maternal and paternal acceptance and child socioemotional difficulties and academic performance and the indirect effects of children’s satisfaction with relationships in the family on these associations among Korean immigrant families in the United States. The sample consisted of 98 mother–father pairs and their children residing in the New York City area. Data were collected via online or printed questionnaires. Indirect effects of children’s satisfaction with relationships in the family on associations between parental acceptance and children’s socioemotional difficulties and academic performance were assessed using a bootstrapping method. Maternal acceptance had direct associations with children’s socioemotional difficulties and academic performance, whereas paternal acceptance had indirect associations only with children’s socioemotional difficulties via children’s satisfaction with relationships in the family. Findings have implications for understanding family-level factors in determining pathways of influence between maternal and paternal warmth and care and childhood outcomes among Korean immigrant families.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study extends our understanding of family-level factors and childhood outcomes and further points to the need to consider culture-sensitive practices and traditional ideologies in addressing childhood difficulties in Korean immigrant families.