Parental beliefs and family functioning in Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong [Reprint]

The relationships between parental beliefs (Chinese cultural beliefs about adversity, attribution of children’s success and failure to effort, and expectations of children’s future) and family functioning were examined in 550 Chinese parents experiencing economic disadvantage. Results showed that perceived Chinese cultural beliefs about adversity and parental expectations on children’s future were positively related to family functioning in both fathers’ and mothers’ samples. Amongst the different predictors of perceived family functioning, paternal expectations of children’s future was the most important predictor of perceived family functioning. The findings underscored the important role of the fathers in Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.