Effects of Parental Stress and Attachment in Chinese American Immigrant Families on Emotion Development of Second-Generation Youth

Author Information

Cecilia C. Zhai, Yeshiva University, United States
Benjamin Avshalomov, Yeshiva University, United States
Katie S. Davis, Yeshiva University, United States

Abstract

Parental stress is a significant determinant of child development, particularly in immigrant families navigating dual cultural contexts. This systematic review examines how parental stress in Chinese American immigrant families is associated with attachment development among second-generation youth in the United States. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science using the terms “parental stress”, “attachment”, “Chinese American”, and “immigrant families”. Inclusion criteria required peer-reviewed empirical studies published in English that focused on Chinese American families and assessed both parental stress and children’s attachment-related or relational development. A qualitative synthesis of 11 studies indicated that parental stress was associated with youth emotional and relational adjustment. These associations appeared to operate through family relational processes, including parent-child conflict and parenting practices, rather than through direct effects on attachment security. Cultural orientation and intergenerational congruence were found to shape how stress and parenting behaviors were associated with child-focused outcomes. Overall, the findings suggest that parental stress associated with migration and cultural adaptation may shape children’s emotional development as well as broader family relational dynamics. This review underscores the importance of culturally responsive mental health interventions to support the development and well-being of second-generation Chinese American youth.

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