Mapping out the Vietnamese American experience: Parenting styles and communication satisfaction among Vietnamese American generations

Abstract

Communication is vital for all communities and is particularly relevant for families. This study explored intergenerational communication on health and political topics within Vietnamese American communities. While a large body of research explores family communication themes in Asian American (especially Chinese American) communities, little exists about Vietnamese American communities, especially on family, health, and political communication. The study surveyed 869 Vietnamese Americans aged 18 to 35 who have Vietnamese American immigrant parents, asking them questions pertaining to their family’s parenting styles, family communication styles, and willingness to communicate health and political topics. Results found that authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting styles were significantly related to communication satisfaction. Further research showed that authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting styles were also significantly related to the willingness to communicate various health topics, including mental and sexual health. When looking at political communication within the family, results found that there were significant differences between concordant and discordant political affiliations within the family and communication satisfaction. Authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting styles were also significantly related to willingness to communicate about politics. The findings indicate that there is a large need for education within families to increase the quality of family, health, and political communication. Findings can inform campaigns to improve communication within this community and provide better health outcomes and constructive political dialogue.