Family Influence on Careers Among Asian Parent–Child Dyads

Abstract

Previous research in vocational psychology has investigated various contextual factors that have influenced the career development process of Asian Americans. Such factors include family influence, acculturation, cultural values, and conflict within the family. However, there has been limited research on the role of family influence on careers in the context of Asian parent–child dyads. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the congruence of family influence on careers, specifically investigating whether aspects of family influence are predicted by congruence of values, acculturation, and intergenerational conflict, among Asian parent–child dyads. There were a total of 30 Asian parent and college-age student dyads. Multiple regression analyses were performed to answer the research question, with findings suggesting that congruence of values, acculturation, and intergenerational conflict predicted congruence of the family expectations aspect of family influence on careers. Implications for theory, practice, and research are discussed.