Chinese Immigrant Children’s Social Relationships

To better understand the emotional and behavioural problems of immigrant children, it is important to look beyond the children''s family demographics and to assess the broader social context. This book explores the effects of immigrant children''s social relationships within families and peer groups, as well as the effects of their demographic backgrounds, on the children''s behavioural problems. The findings indicate that immigrant children''s relationships with both parents and peers were the most significant predictor of specific behaviour problems. Some demographic factors were also found to influence behavioural problems of immigrant children. In order to improve the integration and adaptation process for immigrant children with adjustment difficulties in their social relationships and behavioural problems, relevant intervention and prevention programs need to be developed in school settings in collaboration with the community, by government, and by ethno-specific community groups.