Investigates the correlation between Hmong family processes, as measured by parental attachment, monitoring, and discipline practices, and levels of family acculturation and adolescent delinquent behavior. Study participants were 52 Hmong adolescents attending middle or high schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Among the key findings were that: (1) emotional closeness and open communication between parent and adolescent were positively correlated with reduced likelihood of adolescent involvement in delinquent behaviors; (2) greater parental monitoring also was strongly correlated with decreased delinquent behavior; (3) parental use of physical discipline was correlated with increased delinquency; and (4) greater acculturation of adolescents combined with low education level or acculturation on the part of parents were associated with increased involvement in delinquent behaviors. Professionals working with Hmong adolescents and their families need to focus parent education programs on enhancing parents’ awareness of the changes and tensions involved in adolescent development, which are exacerbated by living in 2 cultures, and of the importance of parental attachment, monitoring, and effective parenting styles as well as involvement in their children’s education. Parents would benefit from support groups, and adolescents need both supervised extracurricular activities and programs that teach such skills as decision-making, conflict resolution, and stress management.
