Inherited Stress? Culture, Stress, and Cognitive Development in Immigrant Youth
By Dr. Su Yeong Kim Professor, Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin
Executive Function and Culture: Dr. Su Yeong Kim’s Research Context
The development of executive function, an all-encompassing term for skills like memory, flexible thinking, and self-control, is crucial for success during adolescence. While biology certainly plays a part, Dr Su Yeong Kim's research highlights how cultural stressors, particularly in immigrant families, influence this cognitive growth through both direct and indirect means
The latest study (conducted by Dr Kim), featured in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications: Culturally relevant stressors as moderators of intergenerational transmission of mother-adolescent executive function in Mexican immigrant families, zeroes in on Mexican immigrant families, where adolescents often grow up in settings characterized by economic challenges and a sense of being an outsider.
From Family Stress to Cognitive Function: A
Closer Look at the Dr. Su Yeong’s Research Approach
Participants
Dr Kim and her team looked at 179 mother-adolescent pairs All the mothers were immigrants from Mexico, living in low-income households in central Texas. Their adolescent children, mostly born in the U.S., were bilingual and bicultural.
Tools and Techniques
The study employed standardized computer-based assessments to evaluate:
● Working Memory through the Backward Digit Span
● Shifting Ability via the Color-Shape Task
● Inhibitory Control using the Simon Task
Mothers also provided insights on:
● Economic Stress (the struggle to meet financial obligations)
● Foreigner Stress (the feeling of being "othered" due to accent or ethnicity)
What Dr. Su Yeong Kim’s Study Uncovered: Three Surprising Findings
1. Working Memory: Stronger When Foreigner Stress is Low
● The working memory of teens closely reflected that of their mothers, but only when foreign stress was minimal
● The findings indicate that a supportive cultural environment boosts cognitive synergy between parents and children, particularly for skills that require sustained mental focus
2. Shifting Ability: Heightened Under Foreigner Stress
● It seems that high levels of stress related to being a foreigner actually strengthen the bond between mothers and teens when it comes to shifting ability a crucial skill for handling life's unpredictability.
● The study suggests that this cultural stress might “train” both generations to be more adaptable, showcasing a fascinating example of resilience that comes from stress.
3. Inhibitory Control: Undermined by Economic Stress
● In contrast to the previous two skills, economic stress didn’t seem to affect how these skills were passed down through generations However, it did have a direct negative impact on teens' ability to control their impulses.
● It points out that when adolescents are living in survival mode, it becomes much tougher for them to ignore distractions and manage their impulses.
Why This Study Matters: Practical and Policy Implications
This research carries significant implications for anyone involved with immigrant families, from teachers to policymakers:
● Cultural stress goes beyond just emotional effects it also impacts cognitive processes. It changes how teens think, concentrate, and adapt
● Executive function isn’t solely determined by genetics Dr Kim’s findings highlight how family dynamics, community environment, and social perceptions all play a role in shaping cognitive abilities.
● Programs need to be culturally relevant Teaching strategies for resilience in a culturally supportive setting could enhance cognitive outcomes for teens.
