An Integrated Conceptual Framework for the Development of Asian American Children and Youth

Abstract

The diversity of circumstances and developmental outcomes among Asian American children and youth poses a challenge for scholars interested in Asian American child development. This article addresses the challenge by offering an integrated conceptual framework based on three broad questions: (a) What are theory-predicated specifications of contexts that are pertinent for the development of Asian American children? (b) What are the domains of development and socialization that are particularly relevant? (c) How can culture as meaning-making processes be integrated in conceptualizations of development? The heuristic value of the conceptual model is illustrated by research on Asian American children and youth that examines the interconnected nature of specific features of context, pertinent aspects of development, and interpretive processes.

Latent Profiles of Discrimination and Socialization Predicting Ethnic Identity and Well‐Being Among Asian American Adolescents

“…With these frameworks in mind, a conceptual model that centers on the unique experiences of Asian American children and families was recently advanced (Mistry et al., ). In it, the importance of ethnic–racial inequities in development, including experiences of discrimination, is emphasized.…”

Children, Youth and Developmental Science in the 2015‐2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals

“…For example, a quasi-experimental impact evaluation of early childhood programs in Zambia was embedded within a national longitudinal study of child development in that country, using propensity score techniques (McCoy, Zuilkowski, Yoshikawa, & Fink, 2016). Integrating family-and community-level assessments can additionally provide rich information on the cultural specifi c-Children, Youth and Developmental Science in the 2015-2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals ity of program and policy impacts as well as developmental change (Mistry et al, 2016;Rogoff et al, 2003). In sum, a broader mix of study designs is needed, with longitudinal studies as a centerpiece, to more fully address development of children and youth in diverse contexts.…”

Commentary: An Asian Americanist Perspective on Child Development

“…(this volume), Mistry et al. (this volume), and Yoshikawa et al. (this volume) already intimate, but do not explicitly articulate, in their respective articles an Asian Americanist perspective on child development.…”