Project

Cross Cultural Families

Project Description

The Cross-Cultural Families program investigated the developmental trajectories of Vietnamese and Cambodian children in late childhood and early adolescence. Immigrant children and children of immigrants have become the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse segment of the U.S. child population. Yet, little longitudinal research has been conducted to better understand why some immigrant or refugee children fare more poorly in terms of educational attainment and health outcomes while others demonstrate healthy adaptations and adjustment. Data were initially collected in 1998 on the sample of 302 mothers in a pilot study focused on measurement equivalence when students were in the second through fourth grades. The longitudinal study began in 2000 with data being collected from mothers, students and teachers. Results seek to better understand the factors and mechanisms that are contributing to maladaptive developmental processes as well as those that buffer risk.

NIMH awarded additional funding for Dr. Emiko Tajima to investigate the prevalence of domestic violence and to identify risk factors for intimate partner violence among Vietnamese and Cambodian populations. Analyses also explored risk factors for harsh parenting practices, considering factors such as acculturation, co-occurring domestic violence, and the intergenerational transmission of violence.