Remote Acculturation and its Impact on Family Dynamics: A Qualitative Study of Chinese Adolescents, Social Media, and European Religious Influences

Abstract

This study examines the influence of Remote Acculturation (RA) on identity development, family processes, and social change among Chinese adolescents through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). In addition to cultural values transmitted through social media, European religious ideals—such as notions of individual autonomy, moral freedom, and the reinterpretation of traditional roles—have become prominent. These elements, derived from Christian ethics and other religious discourses, intersect with adolescents' exposure to Western ideals like individualism and self-expression, often creating tensions with Confucian traditions. Semi-structured interviews with 20 adolescents (aged 12–18) revealed three key themes: (1) Bicultural identity formation, where Western ideals—enhanced by European religious values like equality and forgiveness—merge with Chinese collectivist values to form hybridized identities. (2) Family tensions, as autonomy-oriented influences, including some European religious perspectives, clash with Confucian expectations of dependence. (3) Cultural change, driven by negotiations surrounding gender roles and intergenerational expectations. This research expands SCT by contextualizing observational learning within both secular and religious frameworks, offering insights into the role of RA, social media, and European religious ideals in reshaping adolescent identities and family dynamics in China.