Socioeconomic Status and Child/Youth Outcomes in Asian American Families

Abstract

In this chapter, we first examine socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds of Asian Americans. We then review research on the role of SES in Asian American children's educational outcomes, including protective cultural factors that may mitigate the negative effect of low SES on Asian American families and child/youth outcomes. In particular, we trace the role of SES in ancient Chinese history to understand the East Asian folk concept of SES. Next, drawing on past research including our own, we highlight the significant role that SES plays in Asian American children's psychosocial outcomes and family dynamics in immigrant families. We conclude with recommendations for future research on SES and Asian American families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)