Brosnahan, Sheila (9/11) Parental bonding, bicultural identity integration and ego identity among ethnic minorities (Nicholas Papouchis, Ph.D.; Howard Mcguire, Ph.D.; Benjamin Saunders, Ph.D.)
The purpose of this study was to contribute to the growing body of research exploring biculturalism, specifically bicultural identity integration (BII). It sought to explore the formation of a healthy and relatively conflict-free bicultural identity among second-generation minority university students. In particular, it was interested in factors that may contribute to its development. Parental bonding and perceived parental bicultural identity were considered with respect to the child's own experience as a bicultural individual. Parental bicultural identity integration (P-BII) as perceived by the child was also explored in relation to the child's BII (S-BII). Perceived parental care (PPC) was hypothesized to be positively correlated with higher levels of BII. Perceived parental overprotection (PPO) was predicted to be inversely related to high BII. Additionally, P-BII was expected to be positively associated with S-BII. Lastly, ego identity status was predicted to be positively related to S-BII, with the more advanced statuses corresponding with high levels of S-BII. Acculturative stress was expected to moderate this relationship. The sample consisted of 131 university students who completed a demographic questionnaire, The Bicultural Identity Integration Scale-Version 1, The Parental Bonding Instrument, The Societal, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale, The Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status-II, The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale and The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results partially confirmed the main hypotheses of the study. While PPO and PPC were not predictive of S-BII, a positive relationship was found between P-BII and S-BII, particularly for fathers. Foreclosed identity status was negatively correlated with high S-BII. This study points to the important role of P-BII in the development of S-BII. Parents, despite the influence of the host culture and generational differences, remain a strong contributing force in the transmission of attitudes toward one's heritage and host cultures.
