Study Enrollment in Hispanic/Latino Youth in an Age of Surveillance

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Abstract

Amplified immigration enforcement discourse has heightened perceptions of surveillance across marginalized populations including the Latino community. In this paper, I examine whether and how such perceptions influence racial/ethnic differences in student enrollment and survey response rates in a research study focused on youth with school disciplinary referrals. I hypothesize increased surveillance rhetoric is correlated with lower rates of Latino students participating in research and completing associated surveys. To investigate this, I combine data from school administrative databases with self-reported data and examine demographic correlates of survey responsiveness in a study in three Central Texas high schools. Theories of survey non-response and surveillance illuminate why we would expect research participation rates in this population to be decreasing, especially in a majority-Hispanic, and historically liberal, geographical area. Findings reveal as heightened perceptions of surveillance and discrimination become more prevalent, study participation rates decrease among Latino students, exemplified through school withdrawals, chronic absenteeism, and a historic distrust of research and clinical interventions. These findings have implications on the representativeness of future data collection intended to make inferences on the Hispanic/Latino population and highlights how perceptions of surveillance, risk, and distrust are influencing youth’s willingness to participate in research and other enriching activities.

Author

• Samara Perez Labra, University of Texas at Austin