Abstract

Expectations of children to perform parenting tasks above their development level, a phenomenon known as parentification, is said to be destructive in western literature. However, in other cultures, children taking on some parenting duties may not be considered a detriment but rather an attribute of filial responsibility. The current study examined the relationships between identity distress and parentification as it differs by culture. A comparison of parentification by ethnicity revealed that individuals who did not classify as an ethnic minority experienced significant levels of identity distress compared to ethnic minority individuals regarding parentification. This variation may be attributed to elements of parentification seen as an expectation by some ethnic groups. Further analyses of the data and implications for understanding cultural bias in our assumptions of the adverse effects of parentification is discussed.

Thesis Completion

2023

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Berman, Steven

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Psychology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

5-15-2023

Included in

Psychology Commons

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