Latinx Family Support in Science and Its Links to Adolescents' Science Intrinsic and Utility Values

• In Event: The Ecology and Development of STEM Learning: Factors Influencing STEM Learning Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Though Latinx students face challenges and barriers within the sciences (Andersen & Ward, 2013) and continue to be underrepresented in the science workforce (Khan, Robbins, & Okrent, 2020), families are a critical source of support to help turn these tides. The current study examined the associations between science support provided by parents and older siblings and Latinx adolescents’ science intrinsic and utility values. Significant findings indicated older siblings’ support positively predicted adolescent science utility values, and that siblings were more likely to be supportive if they had high familism values. These relations were not statistically significant for parents.

Authors

• Kayla Puente, University of California - Irvine

• Sandra D. Simpkins, University of California - Irvine