Parenting as a base for positive resource development in Asian American and European American college students

Thesis (M.A., Psychology (Counseling Psychology)) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2011.Parenting style has important and long-lasting effects on well-being (Cheng & Furnham, 2004; Matheson et al, 2005), influencing personal resources such as self-esteem (Gecas & Schwalbe, 1986; Robertson & Simons, 1989; Rudy & Grusec, 2006). The role of parenting style in ethnic identity development is less well established, and links among parenting style, self-esteem, and ethnic identity development warrant further research. The relationships among parenting style, self-esteem, and ethnic identity in a sample of European American (n = 128) and Asian American (n = 78) college students were examined. Results suggested that parenting factors may facilitate ethnic identity by fostering positive communal resources. Differences in the effect of maternal and paternal influence were found, and ethnic differences in relevant variables merit additional research. Future studies are needed to evaluate these findings in larger samples of Asian Americans and European Americans as well as other cultural groups.Psychology (Counseling Psychology