(Page 1 of 2) - Asian and European American Cultural Values, Self-esteem, Cognitive Flexibility, and Self-efficacy among Asian American Adolescents authored by Omizo, Michael.

Asian and European American Cultural Values, Self-esteem, Cognitive Flexibility,

and Self-efficacy among Asian American Adolescents

Section I: Content
A. The purpose of this presentation is to examine Asian American adolescents’
adherence to Asian and European American cultural values and their relationships ratings
on measures of collective self-esteem, cognitive flexibility, and general self-efficacy.
These variables will be discussed relative to learning and counseling factors.
B. There are numerous studies which have focused on the acculturation and
enculturation of Asian American population groups (Kim & Abreu, 2001, Kim, Ng, &
Ahn, 2005, LaFromboise, & Gerton, 1993). Current theories suggest that adherence to
Asian and European American values influence individuals with respect to several factors
related to mental health and learning, including ways in which they manifest
psychological problems, their beliefs about problem etiology, their help seeking
behaviors, ways in which they express their emotions and how they learn (Atkinson,
2004). Research indicates that self-esteem (Luhtanen and Cocker, 1992), cognitive
flexibility (LaFromboise et al. (1993), and self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977) are important
variables related to learning and mental health functioning (Croker, Luhtanen, Blaine, &
Broadnax, 1994).
C. Better understanding of Asian American adolescents can assist teachers and
counselors in assisting this population to learn better and working with them more
effectively when communication and counseling them. Teachers may be the first
individuals that adolescents go to for advice and guidance.
D. This proposal relates to using quantitative evidence to improve teaching and
counseling and implications for policies to assist Asian American adolescents in the
schools. Participants included 112 Asian American high school students in Hawai`i
who were administered an Asian Values Scale, European American Values Scale,
Collective Self-esteem Scale, Self-efficacy Scale and Cognitive Flexibility Scale.
Simultaneous multiple regression analyses the data. Results indicated that high Asian
and European American values are significantly related to self-esteem and cognitive
flexibility. This evidence can be used to inform policy and improve teaching and
counseling of Asian American adolescents. Although exemplary practices were not
investigated, implications for the development of such practices will be discussed.
E. Based on the results of this study, the following implications are offered:
1. Including the variables investigated in teacher preparation programs as a way to
enhance teaching, learning, and communication/helping skills.
2. Including the results of the study in diversity and multicultural education courses.
3. Developing activities to enhance Asian cultural values and European American
cultural values of this population.
4. Developing teaching methods which are more effective for Asian American
adolescents.
5. Developing counseling techniques and intervention strategies for Asian American
adolescents.
6. Studies should be replicated on more heterogeneous Asian American populations.
7. Investigations should be conducted to provide empirical evidence on various
developed practices and intervention strategies.