A Moderation Analysis Exploring the Relationship Between Differentiation of Self, Acculturative Stress, and Cultural Identity in South Asian Americans
Faculty Mentor
Caroline Clauss-Ehlers
Major/Area of Research
Clinical Psychology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Differentiation of self is an individual’s ability to identify, uphold, and distinguish their own thoughts and feelings from others. It is a core concept of Murray Bowen’s (1976) family systems theory, which posits that individuality and togetherness are the two driving forces in all human relationships. Differentiated people can maintain a distinct self while still forming and maintaining intimate connections with others, particularly family members (Lampis et. al, 2019; Nichols & Schwartz, 1995). The initial validation study primarily focused on White college students (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998). More recent research has addressed this in the context of cultural differences, for example, in East Asian Americans (Lee & Johnson, 2017), African-American college women (Gushue & Constantine, 2003), and Filipinos (Tuason & Friedlander, 2000), thus far neglecting focus towards South Asian Americans. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the relationships between differentiation of self, acculturative stress, and cultural identity in South Asian Americans. Furthermore, the study aims to find the impact acculturative stress has on the relationship between differentiation of self and cultural identity. Findings from this study may potentially enrich understanding of social dynamics within the South Asian American diaspora.
METHOD: Self-report measures were administered to 171 participants accrued from Prolific, an online data-collection platform.
RESULTS: Overall, the relationship between differentiation of self and cultural identity was strongly moderated by acculturative stress. Acculturative stress also emerged as a significant predictor of ethnic identity. This indicated that situations of elevated cultural stress influence degree of differentiation and formation of ethnic identity amongst South Asian Americans.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings lend support to the challenges minority groups in America experience, and the impact situational stressors can have on identity.
A Moderation Analysis Exploring the Relationship Between Differentiation of Self, Acculturative Stress, and Cultural Identity in South Asian Americans
INTRODUCTION: Differentiation of self is an individual’s ability to identify, uphold, and distinguish their own thoughts and feelings from others. It is a core concept of Murray Bowen’s (1976) family systems theory, which posits that individuality and togetherness are the two driving forces in all human relationships. Differentiated people can maintain a distinct self while still forming and maintaining intimate connections with others, particularly family members (Lampis et. al, 2019; Nichols & Schwartz, 1995). The initial validation study primarily focused on White college students (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998). More recent research has addressed this in the context of cultural differences, for example, in East Asian Americans (Lee & Johnson, 2017), African-American college women (Gushue & Constantine, 2003), and Filipinos (Tuason & Friedlander, 2000), thus far neglecting focus towards South Asian Americans. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the relationships between differentiation of self, acculturative stress, and cultural identity in South Asian Americans. Furthermore, the study aims to find the impact acculturative stress has on the relationship between differentiation of self and cultural identity. Findings from this study may potentially enrich understanding of social dynamics within the South Asian American diaspora.
METHOD: Self-report measures were administered to 171 participants accrued from Prolific, an online data-collection platform.
RESULTS: Overall, the relationship between differentiation of self and cultural identity was strongly moderated by acculturative stress. Acculturative stress also emerged as a significant predictor of ethnic identity. This indicated that situations of elevated cultural stress influence degree of differentiation and formation of ethnic identity amongst South Asian Americans.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings lend support to the challenges minority groups in America experience, and the impact situational stressors can have on identity.