That is Not Fair!: Predictors of Latinx adolescents’ perception of filial obligation fairness

• In Event: Fronteras en Casa: Immigration Conflict, Acculturation Gaps and Psychological Well-being Within Latinx families

Abstract

Intro: Filial obligations are defined as financial, instrumental, and emotional support towards one’s family (Fuligni et al., 1999). While most research in Latinx populations has documented that endorsing filial obligation values predicts better psychosocial outcomes, a few studies have also found potential negative ramifications of high levels of filial obligations, including worse academic performance and psychological maladjustment (e.g., higher depressive symptoms) (Fuligni et al., 1999). Studies have attempted to parse out the contradictory findings by examining covariates; for example, the role of perceived fairness has been hypothesized to help explain these contradictory findings such that filial responsibility may only lead to positive outcomes when the youth perceives the responsibility to be fair but it may lead to higher depressive symptoms when perceived to be unfair (Kuperminc et al., 2013). Despite its vital role, little is known about the predictors of perceived fairness of filial obligations, which may facilitate the positive adaptation of Latinx youth and their families. The present study examines whether acculturative processes (i.e., identity, acculturation gap, cultural values, and cultural orientation) predict feelings of unfairness related to familial obligations among Latinx youth. It was hypothesized that endorsement of cultural values, identity, and orientation aligned with the mainstream culture along with high levels of acculturation gap conflict would lead to elevated perceptions of unfairness.

Methods: 176 7th grade and 8th grade Latinx adolescents were recruited from two middle schools in an emerging immigrant community in North Carolina (51.4% female; 86% U.S born 86.3% Mexican American). Measures included Acculturation Gap Conflicts inventory (Basáñez et. al., 2014), Filial Responsibility Fairness Subscale (Kuperminc et. al., 2009), Cultural Orientation (Chung, Kim, & Abreu, 2004), American Identity (Kiang, Yip, & Fuligni, 2008), Racial/ethnic Identity (Kiang et al., 2006), and Cultural Values (Knight et al., 2010).

Results: A path analysis conducted using R found that acculturation gap conflict related to autonomy (b = .23, SE =.04, p < .05) and preferred culture (b =.11, SE = .04, p < .05), and mainstream cultural values (b =.14, SE = .05, p < .05) significantly predicted increase feelings of unfairness partially supporting the hypothesis. Endorsement of familism values (b = -.44, SE =.07, p < .05) significantly predicted fewer feelings of unfairness.

Discussion: Overall, perceiving filial obligations as fair might hinge on the adolescent’s endorsement of values rather than identity alignment or cultural orientation as neither of these predicted perceived fairness. Both the endorsement of mainstream cultural values like independence and materialism were associated with adolescents perceiving filial obligations as unfair but high endorsement of familism values was linked to lower feelings of unfairness. Acculturation gap conflict also predicted more perceived unfairness perhaps as the differential acculturation between parents and youth erodes the sense of cohesion in the family. These findings suggest that future interventions aimed at improving psychological adjustment among Latinx youth should consider sources of value socialization (i.e., peer and/or parents) and value endorsements in order to mitigate perceptions of unfairness, which in turn could aid in reducing negative psychological outcomes.

Authors

• Puja Patel, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  Presenting Author

• Gabriela Livas Stein, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  Non-Presenting Author

• Laura M. Gonzalez, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  Non-Presenting Author

• Andrew Supple, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lisa Kiang, Wake Forest University
  Non-Presenting Author