Abstract
This quantitative study examines the relationship between the cultural orientation and self-esteem of second-generation Chinese American adolescents. The sample contained 25 second-generation adolescents living in Northern California. Participants were asked to self-report level of Chinese cultural orientation, U.S. cultural orientation, and self-esteem. Pearson correlations were run between self-esteem and both cultural orientation scores (Chinese and U.S.). Results indicated no significant relationship between self-esteem and either cultural orientation. However, inconsistent with past literature, individuals who reported high U.S. cultural orientation reported lower Chinese cultural orientation. This could be an influence of parents’ length of residence in the U.S. through its significant relationship with adolescent American cultural orientation. Nonsignificant results may be due to small sample size and other cultural influences such as the ethnic density of the community. Future research needs to further examine how the unique cultural orientation of second-generation Chinese Americans can facilitate positive influences in self-esteem.