Psychometric Properties of the Intergenerational Congruence in Immigrant Families: Child Scale in Chinese Americans*

(Son): I am a different generation. Things aren't the same here, things are different. (Father). How different? You mean you don't have to work anymore? (Son) Of course, I want to work. I want to be a writer.This is.the path I have chosen to follow. (and) whatever support I do not get.must not shut down my dreams, my purpose (Anonymous, 1995). Migration is often associated with a myriad of challenges. While those that involve adaptation to a new cultural and social world, such as learning a new language and new customs, come readily to mind, others are less expected, such as conflict between parents and their children. Recently, the literature has documented the presence of intergenerational/ intercultural conflict in immigrant families that arises due to a discrepancy in acculturation level between immigrant parents and their children. While parents continue to espouse their culture of origin and acculturate slowly to American values, their offsprings more rapidly embrace American cultural attitudes and behaviors (Drachman, et al., 1996; Lee, et al., 2000; Sluzki, 1979; Thomas, 1995; Yao, 1985; Ying & Chao, 1996; Ying, 1999,1999a). In spite of scholars' recognition of this challenge, few empirical studies on intergenerational conflict in immigrant families currently exist. In part, this may be due to the limited availability of appropriate and psychometrically sound measures. To address this gap in the literature, the Intergenerational Congruence in Immigrant Families - Child and Parent Scales (ICIF-CS and ICIF-PS) were constructed to assess levels of understanding and satisfaction with the parentchild relationship, from the perspectives of the adolescent/young adult child (Child scale) and their immigrant parents (Parent scale). The current investigation examines the psychometric properties and use of the ICIF-CS with Chinese American children of immigrants, while a companion paper assessed the ICIF-PS with immigrant Chinese American parents (Ying & Tracy, 2003). Both versions of the instrument were designed for use with various ethnic groups.SIGNIFICANCEDocumenting the quality of the parent-child relationship in immigrant families is important for several reasons. First, population estimates suggest over one million immigrants arrive annually, and comprise over 10% of the American population (Fix & Passel, 1994; Passel & Edmonston, 1992). Thus, immigrant parents and their children constitute a significant percentage of the U.S. population. second, intergenerational conflict is likely to be common because the majority of today's immigrants originates from Latin America and Asia (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1993), countries whose cultures vary significantly from that of mainstream America. For instance, while majority American culture values independence and individual uniqueness, Asian and Latin cultures emphasize interdependence and interpersonal harmony (Ho, 1993; Sandoval, & De La Roza,1986). Also, Latin and Asian parents are authority figures who demand more obedience and respect from their children than do American parents (Drachman, et al., 1996; Ying, et al, 1999). Such divergent values are likely to lead to significant intergenerational disagreement, tension, and conflict when children increasingly immerse themselves in and acculturate to American culture.Third, assessing intergenerational/intercultural conflict is important because it may be a significant risk factor of psychological distress for both immigrant parents and their children. Children of immigrants may feel confused and torn by conflicting values at home and in school, and between their parents and peers, resulting in depression, anxiety, and gang involvement (Hernandez-Guzman & Sanchez-Sosa, 1996; Yao, 1985). Similarly, parents may feel dismayed, depressed, and angered by the Americanization of their children (Ying, 1999,1999a). Finally, the availability of assessment instruments of intergenerational conflict in immigrant families is important for its accurate documentation, and the evaluation of treatment and prevention programs targeting immigrant families (Ying, 1999,1999a). …