Date of Conferral

12-2-2025

Date of Award

December 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Lisa Scharff

Abstract

This quantitative survey study explored whether acculturation and enculturation predicted parenting styles among second-generation Korean American adults. The study was guided by Berry’s acculturation theory, Kim’s enculturation theory, and Baumrind’s parenting typology. Two research questions were addressed: (a) whether acculturation level predicted parenting style when controlling for parent age, gender, and number of children, and (b) whether enculturation level predicted parenting style when controlling for the same demographic variables. Emails and flyers were used to recruit participants from various Korean American groups on social media. A total of 146 Korean American parents completed anonymous online questionnaires about acculturation, enculturation, and parenting style. Most participants scored high in both acculturation and enculturation, and the distribution of parenting styles was relatively balanced across authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive categories. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to examine relationship between acculturation, enculturation, demographic factors, and parenting styles. Results indicated that neither acculturation nor enculturation significantly predicted parenting style. The findings of this research indicate that cultural orientation does not dictate parenting style in this population. Implications for positive social change include helping parents recognize that balancing heritage and mainstream cultural values provides flexibility in their parenting choices, encouraging clinicians and educators to avoid stereotyping Korean American families, and informing community and policy initiative to support culturally diverse parenting practices.

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