Citation/Abstract

The overall purpose of this study was to explore both direct and indirect effects of self-differentiation on perceived family conflict through the mediating role of Asian cultural values among Asian American college students. The participants were 200 Asian American, male and female college students. Structural equation modeling indicated that for Asian American college students, higher levels of self-differentiation contributed to lower levels of perceived family conflict. Furthermore, the levels of adherence to Asian cultural values mediate the relation between self-differentiation and perceived family conflict, although Asian cultural values were a stronger predictor of perceived family conflict for males than females. In general, the results provide an empirical foundation of Bowen's self-differentiation theory in understanding the Asian American college students' culturally unique psychosocial developments. The study also expands the existing research findings supporting the strong association between Asian cultural values and family relationships among these students.