We Did What We Could: A Qualitative Study Examining Parent-Child Relationships of Vietnamese American Emerging Adults

As Vietnamese immigrants settled in America, there has been a shift in the mental health needs of subsequent generations of Vietnamese Americans. While many first generation Vietnamese avoided seeking mental health services, subsequent generations of Vietnamese Americans were open to seeking mental health services to explore their experiences as children of immigrants, parent-child relationships, and bicultural identities. Because this population has been rapidly changing and growing, mental health among Vietnamese Americans has become a larger need. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how parent-child relationships of Vietnamese Americans impact their wellbeing in emerging adulthood. This research further explored the experiences of intergenerational cultural dissonance in this age group. This study consisted of 8 semi-structured interviews with Vietnamese American emerging adults (ages 19-29). Data was analyzed through reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four main themes emerged from the data that contributed to the Vietnamese parent-child dynamic: 1) Vietnamese parenting, 2) stressors and coping mechanisms in adolescence, 3) individuation during emerging adulthood, and 4) coming to terms with parent-child relationships. These themes highlight the experiences of Vietnamese American emerging adults and how they contend their identities and their relationships with their parents. The study underscores the importance of Vietnamese American emerging adults receiving mental health services to build towards a healthier understanding of themselves. Providing culturally responsive family treatment and educating parents on raising bicultural children could improve parent-child relationships. It is necessary to continue to study this population to create evidence based treatments for healthier Vietnamese American families.