Purpose: Vietnamese American adolescents experience many uncontrollable events including traditional norms and beliefs values in addition to normal developmental challenges. However, with effective coping skills, these individuals can thrive well and take appropriate steps to mobilize adaptive responses. Drawing on stress and coping theory, this study examines the role of bicultural identity and its direct and indirect impact on depressive symptoms through various correlates including family cohesion, social supports, and global self esteem.

Method: The proposed model was tested on 152 Vietnamese American adolescents
between the age of 14-18. Predictor variables were operationalized as follows: Bicultural identity was measured by self-construal. Symptoms of psychological distress were measured by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Coping resources include family cohesion measured by Family Cohesion and Adaptability; social support availability measured by Social Support Questionnaire; and self esteem measured by Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. EQS software was used to analyze the goodness of fit of the structural model.

Result:  The effect of bicultural identity on psychological distress was mediated by family cohesion, social support availability and global self- esteem. Higher level of bicultural identity was associated with higher level of family cohesion that in turn contributed to higher level of social support availability. These adolescents were likely to have higher global self- esteem and thus less likely to be psychologically distressed.

Implication: As personal coping resources (i.e., self esteem, family cohesion and social support) appear to mediate levels of psychological distress, Vietnamese American adolescents may be helped by programs that work to introduce different communication techniques that help them to navigate through conflicts between two cultures, and enable them to establish a sense of continuity between generations within the family while not jeopardizing their American identity