Life Satisfaction between Chinese-Immigrant Adolescents and Their Counterparts in the United States and China
Affiliation(s)
1 Eastside High School, Gainesville, USA. 2 College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
1 Eastside High School, Gainesville, USA. 2 College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to compare the life satisfaction (LS) of Chinese-immigrant children in the United States (US) with their counterparts in America and China by using the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS). The mean scores of SLSS were examined and compared among three groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the differences of LS among comparison groups after adjusting for other potential risk factors. Out of 161 children who completed the surveys, 47 (29%) were Chinese-immigrant children, 81 (50%) were native Chinese children, and 33 (20%) were non-immigrant US children. The results showed that Chinese- immigrant children had higher overall LS than native Chinese children (4.39 ± 0.83 vs 3.79 ± 0.81; p = 0.0001), but lower overall LS than non-immigrant children in the US (4.39 ± 0.83 vs 4.81 ± 0.69; p = 0.0207). Systematic investigation on larger populations will be necessary to identify the potential contributing factors.
The objective of this study was to compare the life satisfaction (LS) of Chinese-immigrant children in the United States (US) with their counterparts in America and China by using the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS). The mean scores of SLSS were examined and compared among three groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the differences of LS among comparison groups after adjusting for other potential risk factors. Out of 161 children who completed the surveys, 47 (29%) were Chinese-immigrant children, 81 (50%) were native Chinese children, and 33 (20%) were non-immigrant US children. The results showed that Chinese- immigrant children had higher overall LS than native Chinese children (4.39 ± 0.83 vs 3.79 ± 0.81; p = 0.0001), but lower overall LS than non-immigrant children in the US (4.39 ± 0.83 vs 4.81 ± 0.69; p = 0.0207). Systematic investigation on larger populations will be necessary to identify the potential contributing factors.
Cite this paper
Lee, J. and Kimberlin, C. (2015) Life Satisfaction between Chinese-Immigrant Adolescents and Their Counterparts in the United States and China. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 118-124. doi: 10.4236/jss.2015.34014.
Lee, J. and Kimberlin, C. (2015) Life Satisfaction between Chinese-Immigrant Adolescents and Their Counterparts in the United States and China. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 118-124. doi: 10.4236/jss.2015.34014.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022022105275961 [9] Park, N. (2005) Life Satisfaction among Korean Children and Youth. School Psychology International, 26, 209-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0143034305052914 [10] Huebner, E.S. (1994) Conjoint Analyses of the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale and the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. Psychology in the Schools, 31, 273-277. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807(199410)31:4<273::AID-PITS2310310404>3.0.CO;2-A [11] Proctor, C.L., Linley, P.A. and Maltby, J. (2009) Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 128-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760802650816 [12] Huebner, E.S. (1994) Preliminary Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Children. Psychological Assessment, 6, 149-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.6.2.149 [13] Huebner, E.S., Laughlin, J.E., Ash, C. and Gilman, R. (1998) Further Validation of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 16, 118-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/073428299801600202 [14] Leung, C.Y.W., McBride-Chang, C. and Lai, B.P.Y. (2004) Relations among Maternal Parenting Style, Academic Competence, and Life Satisfaction in Chinese Early Adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 24, 113-143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0272431603262678 [15] Damon, W. and Hart, D. (1982) Stability and Change in Children’s Self-Understanding. Social Cognition, 4, 102-118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/soco.1986.4.2.102 [16] Harter, S. (1988) The Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents: Manual. University of Denver Press, Denver. [17] Harter, S. (1987) The Determinants and Mediational Role of Global Self-Worth in Children. In: Eisenberg, N., Ed., Contemporary Topics in Reply to: Developmental Psychology, John Wiley, New York, 219-242. [18] Robinson, N.S. (1995) Evaluating the Nature of Perceived Support and Its Relation to Perceived Self-Worth in Adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescents, 5, 253-280.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327795jra0502_5 [19] Man, P. (1991) The Influence of Peers and Parents on Youth Life Satisfaction in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 24, 347-365. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00383734 [20] Bear, G.G., Minke, K.M., Griffin, S.M. and Deemer, S.A. (1998) Achievement-Related Perceptions of Children with Learning Disabilities and Normal Achievement: Group and Developmental Differences. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 31, 91-104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/002221949803100109 [21] Diener, E. (1994) Assessing Subjective Well-Being: Progress and Opportunities. Social Indicators Research, 31, 103- 157. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01207052 [22] Huebner, E.S., Gilman, R. and Laughlin, J.E. (1999) A Multimethod Investigation of the Multidimensionality of Children’s Well-Being Reports: Discriminant Validity of Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem. Social Indicators Research, 46, 1-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006821510832 [23] Phinney, J.S. and Ong, A.D. (2002) Adolescent-Parent Disagreements and Life Satisfaction in Families from Vietnamese and European-American Backgrounds. International Journal of Behaviorla Development, 26, 556-561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01650250143000544 [24] Liebkind, K. and Jasinskaja-Lahti, I. (2000) Acculturation and Psychological Well-Being among Immigrant Adolescents in Finland: A Comparative Study of Adolescents from Different Cultural Backgrounds. Journal of Adolescent Research, 15, 446-469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0743558400154002 [25] Neto, F. (1995) Predictors of Satisfaction with Life among Second Generation Migrants. Social Indicators Research, 35, 93-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01079240 [26] Ullman, C. and Tatar, M. (2001) Psychological Adjustment among Israeli Adolescents Immigrants: A Report on Life Satisfaction, Self Concept, and Self-Esteem. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 30, 449-463. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1010445200081 [27] Val Selm, K., Sam, D.L. and Van Oudenhoven, J.P. (1997) Life Satisfaction and Competence of Bosnian Refugees in Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 38, 143-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9450.00020 [28] LaFraniere, S. and Yuanxi, H. (2009) China’s College Entry Test Is an Obsession. The New York Times, 12.
[1] Huebner, E.S. (1991) Initial Development of the Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale. School Psychology International, 12, 231-240. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0143034391123010 [2] Huebner, E.S. (1995) The Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale: An Assessment of Psychometric Properties with Black and White Elementary School Students. Social Indicators Research, 34, 315-323. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01078690 [3] Balatsky, G. and Diener, E. (1993) Subjective Well-Being among Russian Students. Social Indicators Research, 28, 225-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01079019 [4] Frisch, M.B. (2000) Improving Mental and Physical Health Care through Quality of Life Therapy and Assessment. In: Diener, E. and Rahtz, D.R., Eds., Advances in Quality of Life Theory and Research, Springer, 207-241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4291-5_10 [5] Ho, G.W. (2014) Acculturation and Its Implications on Parenting for Chinese Immigrants: A Systematic Review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 25, 145-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043659613515720 [6] Domino, G. (2000) Social Values: A Comparison of Chinese and American Children. In: Comuian, A.L. and Gielen, U., Eds., International Perspectives on Human Development, Pabst Science Publishers, Lengerich, 355-378. [7] Shek, D.T.L. (2004) Chinese Cultural Beliefs about Adversity: Its Relationship to Psychological Well-Being, School Adjustment, and Problem Behavior in Hong Kong Adolescents with and without Economic Disadvantage. Childhood, 11, 63-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0907568204040185 [8] Huebner, E.S. and Park, N. (2005) A Cross-Cultural Study of the Levels and Correlates of Life Satisfaction among Adolescents. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 36, 444-456.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022022105275961 [9] Park, N. (2005) Life Satisfaction among Korean Children and Youth. School Psychology International, 26, 209-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0143034305052914 [10] Huebner, E.S. (1994) Conjoint Analyses of the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale and the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. Psychology in the Schools, 31, 273-277. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807(199410)31:4<273::AID-PITS2310310404>3.0.CO;2-A [11] Proctor, C.L., Linley, P.A. and Maltby, J. (2009) Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 128-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760802650816 [12] Huebner, E.S. (1994) Preliminary Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Children. Psychological Assessment, 6, 149-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.6.2.149 [13] Huebner, E.S., Laughlin, J.E., Ash, C. and Gilman, R. (1998) Further Validation of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 16, 118-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/073428299801600202 [14] Leung, C.Y.W., McBride-Chang, C. and Lai, B.P.Y. (2004) Relations among Maternal Parenting Style, Academic Competence, and Life Satisfaction in Chinese Early Adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 24, 113-143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0272431603262678 [15] Damon, W. and Hart, D. (1982) Stability and Change in Children’s Self-Understanding. Social Cognition, 4, 102-118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/soco.1986.4.2.102 [16] Harter, S. (1988) The Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents: Manual. University of Denver Press, Denver. [17] Harter, S. (1987) The Determinants and Mediational Role of Global Self-Worth in Children. In: Eisenberg, N., Ed., Contemporary Topics in Reply to: Developmental Psychology, John Wiley, New York, 219-242. [18] Robinson, N.S. (1995) Evaluating the Nature of Perceived Support and Its Relation to Perceived Self-Worth in Adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescents, 5, 253-280.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327795jra0502_5 [19] Man, P. (1991) The Influence of Peers and Parents on Youth Life Satisfaction in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 24, 347-365. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00383734 [20] Bear, G.G., Minke, K.M., Griffin, S.M. and Deemer, S.A. (1998) Achievement-Related Perceptions of Children with Learning Disabilities and Normal Achievement: Group and Developmental Differences. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 31, 91-104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/002221949803100109 [21] Diener, E. (1994) Assessing Subjective Well-Being: Progress and Opportunities. Social Indicators Research, 31, 103- 157. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01207052 [22] Huebner, E.S., Gilman, R. and Laughlin, J.E. (1999) A Multimethod Investigation of the Multidimensionality of Children’s Well-Being Reports: Discriminant Validity of Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem. Social Indicators Research, 46, 1-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006821510832 [23] Phinney, J.S. and Ong, A.D. (2002) Adolescent-Parent Disagreements and Life Satisfaction in Families from Vietnamese and European-American Backgrounds. International Journal of Behaviorla Development, 26, 556-561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01650250143000544 [24] Liebkind, K. and Jasinskaja-Lahti, I. (2000) Acculturation and Psychological Well-Being among Immigrant Adolescents in Finland: A Comparative Study of Adolescents from Different Cultural Backgrounds. Journal of Adolescent Research, 15, 446-469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0743558400154002 [25] Neto, F. (1995) Predictors of Satisfaction with Life among Second Generation Migrants. Social Indicators Research, 35, 93-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01079240 [26] Ullman, C. and Tatar, M. (2001) Psychological Adjustment among Israeli Adolescents Immigrants: A Report on Life Satisfaction, Self Concept, and Self-Esteem. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 30, 449-463. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1010445200081 [27] Val Selm, K., Sam, D.L. and Van Oudenhoven, J.P. (1997) Life Satisfaction and Competence of Bosnian Refugees in Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 38, 143-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9450.00020 [28] LaFraniere, S. and Yuanxi, H. (2009) China’s College Entry Test Is an Obsession. The New York Times, 12.