How parental stress shapes adolescents’ school adjustment in multicultural families

What is it about?

This study examines how parental stress operates as a dynamic and reciprocal process in Korean multicultural families. Guided by the Family Stress Theory and the Family Stress Model, the findings show that mothers’ acculturative stress and daily stress continuously influence each other over time, forming a cyclical stress process within families. Although the indirect pathway linking stress to adolescents’ school adjustment was not statistically significant, the overall pattern of associations supported theoretical expectations. Importantly, parenting efficacy emerged as a key protective factor that consistently promoted adolescents’ school adjustment. These findings highlight that stress in multicultural families is not a one-time risk but an ongoing, cumulative process shaped by culturally embedded experiences. Strengthening parenting efficacy and reducing chronic stress exposure may be critical for supporting adolescents’ academic and socioemotional development in diverse family contexts.

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Photo by Chu CHU on Unsplash

Photo by Chu CHU on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study provides new evidence that stress in multicultural families operates as an ongoing and interconnected process rather than a one-time risk. By showing how culturally embedded stress influences family functioning over time, this research extends the Family Stress Model to diverse cultural contexts. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening parenting efficacy and reducing chronic stress exposure to support adolescents’ academic success and well-being.

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