Abstract

This study investigated the relationship among three major concepts, i.e., acculturation, family climate, and children's product influence. The acculturation construct was measured according to fathers', mothers' and children's responses. Family climate was measured by ten FES subscales. Four product areas were used to investigate children's product influence. Results indicated that mothers' acculturation level has the strongest impact on the family climate. The family environment has the most effect on children's purchase influence on purchase of expensive family products, while acculturation has no relationship with expensive children products. The mediating role of the family environment was weak. Only three FES subscales, i.e., moral religious emphasis, control, and independence appeared to be mediators of the acculturation and product relationship in the hypothesized direction. Results of the Family Incongruence Scores showed that the Chinese families are very traditional and acculturation does not strongly affect their level of family unity.