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South Asian women: identities and conflicts
1Counseling Psychology Program, Department of Education and Human Services, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA. agi2@lehigh.edu
Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology
|May 25, 2006
Summary
Cultural value conflict differs between first and second-generation South Asian women. Religiosity and ethnic identity significantly impact intimate relations conflict, while racial identity influences sex-role expectations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Cultural Studies
Background:
- South Asian women navigate unique cultural value conflicts.
- Generational differences influence acculturation and identity.
- Understanding these conflicts is crucial for mental health and social integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing cultural value conflict in South Asian women.
- To examine the roles of education, religiosity, ethnic identity, and racial identity.
- To differentiate effects between first and second-generation immigrant women.
Main Methods:
- Survey research with 193 first and second-generation South Asian women.
- Assessment of cultural value conflict in intimate relations and sex-role expectations.
- Analysis of education, religiosity, ethnic identity (internal/external), and racial identity statuses (conformity, dissonance, resistance, awareness).
Main Results:
- Religiosity more strongly predicted intimate relations conflict in second-generation women.
- Internal ethnic identity predicted intimate relations conflict in first-generation women.
- Both internal and external ethnic identity predicted intimate relations conflict in second-generation women.
- Higher dissonance in racial identity predicted greater sex-role expectation conflicts in second-generation women.
Conclusions:
- Generational status significantly moderates the influence of religiosity and ethnic identity on cultural value conflict.
- Racial identity dissonance is uniquely associated with sex-role conflict in second-generation South Asian women.
- Findings highlight the complex interplay of identity factors and cultural values across generations.
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