Feelings of Connectedness and Internalization of Values in Asian American Adolescents

Abstract

This study is an attempt to examine a possible mechanism for the high academic achievements of Asian Americans by comparing the quality of experience of Asian American and Caucasian American adolescents. The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) was used to record subjective experiences. Subjects were 34 Asian American and 392 Caucasian American adolescents in the sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades. The ESM analyses revealed interesting differences between the two groups in their psychological functioning. The levels of Asian Americans' perceived importance of activities to future goals and happiness, enjoyment, self-esteem, and activeness covaried more positively and strongly, as compared to those of Caucasian American adolescents. The physical presence of others also affected the quality of experience of Asian American adolescents more strongly and more positively than that of Caucasian American adolescents. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of Asian adolescents' readiness for internalization of cultural values, which may promote academic excellence.