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Bridging the Relational Space Between First- and Second-Generation Chinese American Christians

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Transition and Change in Collectivist Family Life

Part of the book series: AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy ((BRIEFSFAT))

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Abstract

This chapter considers how Chinese American Christians navigate the intersection of family, culture, and spirituality. Results from this interpretative phenomenological study (n = 16) of first- and second-generation family members highlight the shared experience of intergenerational tension and disconnect across both generations’ experiences, as well as how they navigate this tension and disconnect. Culturally honoring clinical implications are discussed for support of these family members, taking into consideration their gender, generational status, and integration of their Christian faith.

This chapter is a revised version of ChenFeng, J, Knudson-Martin, C., & Nelson, T. (2015). Intergenerational tension, connectedness and separateness in the lived experience of first and second generation Chinese American Christians. Contemporary Family Therapy. DOI:10.1007/s10591-015-9335-9.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, California State University, Northridge, CA, USA

    Jessica ChenFeng

Authors
  1. Jessica ChenFeng
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Correspondence to Jessica ChenFeng .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Marital & Family Therapy and Mental Heal, Bethel Seminary, Bethel University Marital & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Programs, San Diego, California, USA

    Karen Mui-Teng Quek

  2. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA

    Shi-Ruei Sherry Fang

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© 2017 American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)

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ChenFeng, J. (2017). Bridging the Relational Space Between First- and Second-Generation Chinese American Christians. In: Quek, KT., Fang, SR. (eds) Transition and Change in Collectivist Family Life. AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50679-1_4

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