Xu Ling, Chi Iris, Wu Shiyou
University of Texas at Arlington, TX, USA.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2018 Jul 17;4:2333721418778196. doi: 10.1177/2333721418778196. eCollection 2018 Jan-Dec.
Being a grandparent is an important social role for Chinese older adults. Despite an increasing number of older Chinese immigrants in the United States and the uniquely differing culture of the United States relative to Chinese culture, few studies focused specifically on Chinese immigrant families in the United States. By conducting four focus groups ( = 32) in Los Angeles, CA, this study aimed to explore grandparent-grandchild relationships in Chinese immigrant families in the U.S. We found that the majority of Chinese immigrant grandparents maintained close relationships with their grandchildren. Grandparents' adjustments of acculturation played an important role in maintaining close relationships with their grandchildren through improved English language proficiency, acceptance of American culture, and adjusted expectations. In addition, the middle generation acted as instructors, models, and interpreters in grandparent-grandchild relationships. The study contributed to literature by finding that Chinese immigrant grandparents and middle generation parents play important roles in their grandchildren's lives via cohesive relationships. Practical services or programs can consider decreasing the acculturation gaps with grandchildren and linking three generations together when strengthening grandparent-grandchild relationships in the United States.
对于中国老年人来说，成为祖父母是一项重要的社会角色。尽管在美国的中国老年移民数量不断增加，且美国文化与中国文化有着独特的差异，但很少有研究专门关注美国的中国移民家庭。通过在加利福尼亚州洛杉矶市开展四个焦点小组（n = 32），本研究旨在探讨美国中国移民家庭中的祖孙关系。我们发现，大多数中国移民祖父母与孙辈保持着密切关系。祖父母的文化适应调整通过提高英语水平、接受美国文化和调整期望，在与孙辈保持密切关系方面发挥了重要作用。此外，中间一代在祖孙关系中充当指导者、榜样和翻译者。该研究发现中国移民祖父母和中间一代父母通过紧密的关系在孙辈的生活中发挥重要作用，这为相关文献做出了贡献。在美国加强祖孙关系时，实际服务或项目可以考虑缩小与孙辈的文化适应差距，并将三代人联系在一起。
