Intergenerational Issues in Multiethnic Families: Evidence from the National Survey of Families & Households

Sarah Ruiz, University of Southern California
Merril Silverstein, University of Southern California

This study examined differences between groups of young adults (aged 5-18 in Wave 1 & 18-34 in Wave 3) from single & multiethnic families. The purpose of the analysis was to explore whether multiethnic adults are: more likely to experience family disruption; performing worse on measures of psychosocial well-being; or involved more with parents than individuals from single ethnic families? Participants were 1,688 adults from the National Survey of Families & Households. Multivariate models found significant differences between groups of single (2 black, Hispanic, or White parents) and multi-ethnic individuals. Findings suggest that multiethnic individuals do not experience more household conflict but reported less involvement with parents and grandparents than in Black & Hispanic families. Compared to all groups, the multiethnic group had higher educational aspirations and reported psychological well-being similar to Hispanics. As multiethnic groups age in the context of the family, they deserve to be investigated as a separate entity.