Chinese Immigrant Parents’ Communication and Prevention Strategies for Youth Substance Use In the Context of Cannabis Legalization

Substance use in Asian immigrant youth has been overlooked due to the “model minority” stereotype (Gao et al., 2024; Kuramoto, 1994). Although overall use is low among Asian youth, risk varies across subgroups (Harachi et al., 2001). More acculturated or recently immigrated Asian youth may face higher risks, but prevention strategies have generally overlooked variations among ethnic subgroups (Park et al., 2014; Le et al., 2009). Behaviors such as vaping nicotine and cannabis represent emerging early-use risks (Cullen et al., 2018; Gentzke et al., 2019). Cultural stigma and limited substance use literacy could restrict help-seeking (Gao et al., 2024). In addition, immigration-related stressors, family dynamics, and community influences can make parent–child communication about substance use prevention more difficult, which shows the importance of parents’ involvement (Fang, 2011). Chinese immigrants represent the largest Asian ethnic group in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023), but little is known about how Chinese immigrant parents approach prevention responsibilities. Although DSM-5-TR (2022) defines substance use disorders based on clinically significant distress or impairment, parents’ interpretations and responses are shaped by culture, family, and community context. In this context, this presentation focuses on first- and 1.5-generation Chinese immigrant parents living in U.S. states with legalized recreational cannabis and explores how they understand and respond to youth substance use.

This ongoing qualitative study investigates parents’ interpretations, communication strategies, emotional responses, and perceived support needs within a shifting legal environment. To date, preliminary data were collected from six parents of children aged 5-25 through demographic surveys and 40-minute semi-structured interviews conducted in Mandarin Chinese via snowball sampling. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes across participants’ experiences.

Preliminary findings indicate that parents found “substance use” unclear or neutral, though some associated it with the morally dangerous concept of “dúpǐn”. Cannabis legalization created tension with these moral frameworks. To protect their children, parents relied on preventive conversations, rule-setting, and monitoring. Environmental exposures (e.g., dispensaries, peers, social media) triggered unplanned discussions. Parents also drew on cultural knowledge and personal experience to navigate these challenges.

The findings reveal three gaps in culturally and linguistically responsive prevention: (1) conceptual, as parents interpret “substance use” ambiguously or in ways that differ from U.S. legal definitions; (2) communication, including fear-based or zero-tolerance approaches that limit open dialogue; and (3) access, such as limited Mandarin-language resources and culturally tailored guidance for parents. Improvement indicators in addressing these gaps may include increased parent–child communication frequency, improved parental substance use literacy, and more confidence in discussing substances appropriately.

Social work practice and community programs can help Chinese immigrant parents address these gaps through targeted education and skill-building, delivered via school-based parent workshops, community organizations, and culturally relevant digital platforms to improve accessibility and engagement. Building on these efforts, this presentation supports Chinese immigrant communities by reducing substance use– and mental health–related stigma, increasing access to guidance, enhancing parent–child communication, and promoting equitable prevention. It also contributes to future research on culturally and linguistically responsive prevention.