Poster #169 - Familismo as a Protective Factor from Stressors Faced by Latinx Adolescents

• In Event: 3-206 - Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: PS 13 Section - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Integrative Statement

Background: Latinx adolescents experience cultural stressors while simultaneously navigating “universal” stressors not directly related to their minority group membership (Coll et al., 1996). Both cultural stressors, such as racial discrimination, and “universal stressors” such as economic need are associated with depressive symptoms in Latinx youth (Potochnik et. al., 2010; Anderson et. al., 2010). Given that Latinx are the second ethnic group most likely to live in poverty and Latinx adolescents are most at risk for depression compared to other ethnic groups, it is imperative to identify protective factors that positively influence Latinx youth’s development (Semega et. al., 2017; Roberts et. al., 1997). While the protective effects of familismo have been explored, few studies have examined the cultural value as a protective factor for “universal” stressors compared to cultural stressors in Latinx adolescents (Stein et. al., 2014; Calzada et. al., 2013).

The current study draws upon the integrative model of minority development and a resilience framework to investigate the adaptive role of culture amongst Latinx adolescents (Coll et. al., 1996). Specifically, familismo refers to a set of cultural values centered around family support, family obligation, and loyalty to family (Lugo et. al., 2003). Familismo has been linked to positive psychological functioning and may act as a protective factor for Latinx youth (Umaña-Taylor et. al., 2011; Kennedy & Ceballo, 2013; Piña-Watson et. al., 2013). We examined whether familismo protects Latinx adolescents from depressive symptoms linked to various economic, familial and cultural stressors.

Methods: 224 Latinx 9th graders from three schools in the northeastern United States were surveyed (Mage = 14.50, 61.2% girls). Adolescents completed self-report questionnaires that included scales for material needs as a type of economic need, familial conflict and cultural stressors like racial discrimination (Parke et. al., 2004; Gonzalez et.al., 1999; Rowlison & Felner, 1988). Endorsement of familismo and depressive symptoms were also reported (Gaines et. al., 1997; Cuellar et. al., 1995).

Results: Hierarchical regressions were conducted to examine the main effects of various stressors, including material needs and familismo endorsement, on depressive symptoms. The moderating effect of familismo was also tested. Moderation analyses revealed that the overall model was marginally significant, F(1, 160) = 3.86, p = .051, R2 = .23, with main effects of material needs positively predicting depressive symptoms and familismo endorsement negatively predicting depressive symptoms. The interaction of material needs and familismo was also marginally significant (see Table 1). Simple slopes analyses revealed a significant positive relation between material needs and depressive symptoms for those with low familismo b = 5.04, p < .01, and average levels of familismo, b = 2.89, p < .05. The non-significant relation between material needs and depressive symptoms for those with high familismo revealed its protective effects, as depressive symptoms were consistently lower even in the presence of high material needs for those with high familismo endorsement, b = .75, p = .60

Implications: The findings underscore the need for teachers, social workers and health practitioners to understand the potentially beneficially role that familismo can play in Latinx families.

Authors

• Jessica Paola Montoro, University of Michigan- Developmental Psychology Area
  Presenting Author

• Andrea Mora, University of Michigan- Developmental Psychology and Social Work Area
  Non-Presenting Author