IMMIGRATION SATISFACTION OF CHINESE-AMERICANS - AN EMPIRICAL-EXAMINATION

This study examined the immigration satisfaction of a group of 95 Chin ese Americans living in San Francisco. Immigration satisfaction was hy pothesized to be negatively mediated by the presence of immigration-re lated problems and positively mediated by a bicultural life-style. Per sonal demographic characteristics were postulated to play a limited ro le in predicting immigration satisfaction but may do so indirectly thr ough their contribution to the presence of problems and cultural orien tation. The findings generally supported these hypotheses. Immigrants who experienced problems with language, discrimination, and social iso lation were less satisfied, whereas those who had both Chinese and non -Chinese close friends and enjoyed more Chinese- and mainstream Americ an-oriented activities were more satisfied. By and large, the demograp hic variables did not directly mediate immigration satisfaction but di d affect immigration-related problems and cultural orientation, throug h which they may have indirectly influenced immigration satisfaction. The only exception was that married immigrants were less satisfied tha n unmarried immigrants. Implications of the findings were discussed.