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Kim, Lim, and Chung: Effects of Korean Proficiency and Parent-child Cohesion on Self-esteem and Acculturation among Children from Multicultural Families
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2012; 42(6): 879-888.

Published online: 31 December 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.879

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

Mi Ye Kim1, Ji Young Lim2, 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, limj@knu.ac.kr

Received 15 March 2012       Accepted 16 November 2012

© 2012 Korean Society of Nursing Science

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 and Tables

Figure 1
Conceptual framework (mediating effect).
jkan-42-879-g001
Figure 2
Mediating effects of cohesion with father and mother.
jkan-42-879-g002
Table 1
General Characteristics of Participants (N=138)
jkan-42-879-i001
Table 2
Mediating Effects of Cohesion with Father and Mother on the Relationship between Korean Proficiency and Self-esteem (N=138)
jkan-42-879-i002
Table 3
Mediating Effects of Cohesion with Father and Mother on the Relationship between Korean Proficiency and Acculturation (N=138)
jkan-42-879-i003

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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