Cultural and Parenting Cognitions in Acculturating Cultures

Abstract

This longitudinal study evaluated cultural differences and developmental continuity and stability in cultural cognitions (acculturation, individualism, collectivism) and parenting cognitions (attributions, self-perceptions, and knowledge) in 86 Japanese American and South American acculturating mothers when their children were 5 and 20 months of age. South American mothers were more collectivistic than Japanese American mothers. Cultural group and attribution differences emerged for mothers' parenting attributions in successful situations, whereas child age and attribution differences emerged for parenting attributions in unsuccessful situations. Japanese American mothers' feelings of competence increased over time. South American mothers were more satisfied in the parenting role than Japanese American mothers. Mothers' knowledge of parenting increased over time in both groups. Mothers' cultural cognitions were stable, as were Japanese American mothers' parenting cognitions. This study provides insight into the differential influence of cultural background on the acculturation of cultural and parenting cognitions in two U.S. acculturating groups.