Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2093-758X
    J Korean Acad Nurs. 2012 Dec;42(6):879-888. Korean.
    Published online Dec 31, 2012.
    https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.879
    © 2012 Korean Society of Nursing Science
    Original Article

    Effects of Korean Proficiency and Parent-child Cohesion on Self-esteem and Acculturation among Children from Multicultural Families

    Mi Ye Kim,1 Ji Young Lim,2 and Grace H. Chung3
      • 1College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
      • 2School of Child Studies, Major in Child and Family Studies, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
      • 3Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Lim, Ji Young. School of Child Studies, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Korea. Tel: +82-53-950-6211, Fax: +82-53-950-6209, Email: limj@knu.ac.kr
    Received March 15, 2012; Accepted November 16, 2012.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    There is evidence that parent-child cohesion is a potentially influential factor in children's self-esteem and acculturation. However, no research to date has examined cohesion with parents as a potential pathway between Korean proficiency and self-esteem or acculturation among children from multicultural families. This study was done to address these limitations by examining whether and to what extent cohesion with parents mediated the effect of Korean proficiency on self-esteem and acculturation among children from multicultural families.

    Methods

    Data were collected from a sample of 138 mothers and their children living in Seoul, Daegu, Kyungi province, and Kyungpook province. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between the variables of interest. Mediation effects of cohesion with parents were tested by following the procedure recommended by Baron and Kenny (1986).

    Results

    Cohesion with parents partially mediated the relationship between Korean proficiency and self-esteem. For children's acculturation, the effect of Korean proficiency was partially mediated through father-child cohesion. Mother-child cohesion completely mediated the relationship between Korean proficiency and acculturation.

    Conclusion

    These findings suggest that to help children from multicultural families experiencing difficulties with self-esteem or acculturation, it might be useful to develop programs that are aimed at strengthen cohesion with parents.

    Keywords
    Cultural diversity; Children; Family; Parent-child relations; Language ability; Self-esteem; Acculturation

    Figures

    Figure 1
    Conceptual framework (mediating effect).

    Figure 2
    Mediating effects of cohesion with father and mother.

    Tables

    Table 1
    General Characteristics of Participants (N=138)

    Table 2
    Mediating Effects of Cohesion with Father and Mother on the Relationship between Korean Proficiency and Self-esteem (N=138)

    Table 3
    Mediating Effects of Cohesion with Father and Mother on the Relationship between Korean Proficiency and Acculturation (N=138)

    Notes

    This research was supported by Kyungpook National University Research Fund, 2010.

    This research was funded by the New Faculty Research Settlement Grant from Seoul National University.

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    MeSH Terms
    Acculturation*
    Adult
    Asians
    Child
    Cultural Diversity
    Father-Child Relations*
    Female
    Humans
    Male
    Mother-Child Relations*
    Questionnaires
    Regression Analysis
    Republic of Korea
    Self Concept*
    Metrics
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