Fielding graduate Anita Meng Liu presents at National Session 2011

Fielding Graduate University
Research Poster Session at National Session 2011
Alexandria, VA

Acculturation, Conflict Resolution, and Marital Satisfaction of Chinese American Immigrants -- Anita Meng Liu, PhD, Alumna (2008), School of Psychology

The present study examined the effects of perceived immigrant stress, conflict resolution styles, and acculturation strategies on marital satisfaction of 121 Chinese American immigrants living in Southern California. Besides the established Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Asian American Values Scale-Multidimensional, European American Values Scale for Asian Americans-Revised, Conflict Resolution Style Inventory, and Hassles Inventory for Chinese American Immigrants were administered in both English and Chinese languages to the community sample.

Multiple regression analyses revealed that perceived immigrant stress and withdrawal style negatively predicted marital satisfaction whereas problem solving style predicted marital satisfaction in the positive direction. Acculturation variables such as assimilation strategy, length of stay in the U.S., and perceived immigrant stress were found to have significant effects on problem solving style and withdrawal style, both predicting marital satisfaction.

Findings validated some aspects of Berry’s acculturation model and Karney and Bradbury’s vulnerability-stress-adaptation model of marital quality in the Chinese immigrant sample. Preliminary support for an integrated marital-acculturation model for Chinese American immigrants was also evident. Research and practice implications were discussed.

For more information on upcoming poster sessions at Fielding, visit www.fielding.edu.