Identity Development and Intergenerational Conflict in Bicultural Emerging Adults : A Narrative Approach

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between bicultural identity integration (BII) and parental autonomy support as mediated by intergenerational conflict. Utilizing the narrative approach, we examine if making meaning of conflicts facilitates levels of BII in emerging adults. Participants completed measures of BII, parental autonomy support, intergenerational conflict, and acculturation style of their parents. Subjects then wrote a narrative about a cultural conflict that they have experienced with their parent(s). The narratives were coded for exploration, resolution, and growth. Results indicate that only maternal autonomy support was correlated with aspects of BII. Paternal and maternal autonomy support was negatively correlated with intergenerational conflict. Furthermore, narrative characteristics were not correlated with BII, though they were correlated with conflict. Acculturation was also seen as a large predictor of conflict, more conflict being reported in parents with a separated acculturative style than integrated or non-immigrant parents. We controlled for neuroticism in all our analyses.