UCLA

Racial-ethnic socialization (RES) has promotive and protective effects for Asian American children, but parental RES remains understudied among Asian American families with preadolescents. The current study draws from a sample of 404 Asian American parents (Mage = 38.4, SD = 7.0, 66% female) with 6- to 12-year-olds (Mage = 8.9, SD = 2.0, 56% boy; parent-report), and examines the role of child and parent factors on parents’ RES engagement. Results revealed that parent generational status predicted parental RES, whereas child age did not. Parents’ cultural maintenance practices were influenced both by their racial-ethnic and American identities in complex ways. Personal experiences of racial discrimination may differentially influence whether first vs. second+ generation parents discuss anti-Asian discrimination with their children. Parents’ racial socialization confidence may influence whether they minimize racism with their children. Findings highlight the importance of considering how Asian American parents’ background and beliefs shape their RES.