Parent-Child Acculturation Dissonance in West African Immigrant Families: A Grounded Theory Approach
Abstract
The present study examined parent-child acculturation dissonance among West African Fulani immigrant families, using a sample of eleven participants consisting of five parent-child dyads and one adolescent whose parent was not interviewed. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted to explore acculturative processes and their impact on family relations and youth adjustment. Using a grounded theory approach for data analysis, the principal investigator identified the presence of parent-child acculturation in specific domains relating to religion, norms, values, behavior, and identity. Domain-specific parent-child acculturation dissonance was not found to be related to family conflict or youth maladjustment. On the contrary, results highlighted the presence of positive and stable parent-child relations and healthy psychosocial development in adolescents. Based on these findings, it was proposed that, among Muslim African immigrant families, maintenance of traditional African family values, adaptive and flexible parenting, and biculturalism in youths promote family cohesion and youth adjustment, while also buffering against the potential negative impact of parent-child acculturation dissonance.
Subject Area
African Studies|Psychology|Individual & family studies
Recommended Citation
Cissé, Aïcha, "Parent-Child Acculturation Dissonance in West African Immigrant Families: A Grounded Theory Approach" (2018). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI10932455.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI10932455
