Family and Cultural Pathways to Socioemotional and Academic Well-Being in Latinx Adolescents

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

By 2060, 1 of 3 children in the U.S. will be Latinx, emphasizing a continued need to investigate developmental processes that promote the well-being of Latinx youth. Guided by theory on adapting cultural systems (García Coll et al., 1996) and developmentally-relevant social processes (Brown & Larson, 2009; Stein et al., 2016), this symposium features research examining resilience-promoting family and familism processes predicting socioemotional and academic well-being among Latinx early to middle adolescents living in understudied immigrant destinations in the U.S. Southeast (Study 1), Midwest (Study 2), West (Study 3), and Northeast (Study 4). Youth familism, a core cultural value in Latinx families, predicted fewer depression symptoms (Study 1); the association between familism and self-esteem was positive for adolescents with parents reporting low alcohol use levels. In contrast, positive associations between familism and academic-related outcomes were strongest for youth experiencing lower maternal warmth (Study 2). These two studies suggest that familism might help promote self-esteem at relatively low family risk, and promote academic adjustment at relatively moderate family risk contexts. In Study 3, caregiving responsibilities predicted externalizing and internalizing symptoms such that high familism was protective against potential mental health costs of caregiving. Related to socioemotional well-being, Study 4 found that positive associations between daily negative peer experiences and negative affect were only significant when adolescents reported fewer positive parent–child interactions. These studies suggest that a nuanced understanding of the cultural and familial impacts on Latinx youth require joint consideration of risk in the parental and peer contexts youth navigate.

Sub Unit

• Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Chair

• Maciel M. Hernández, University of California - Davis

Individual Presentations

• Familism and Psychological Wellbeing Among Latinx Youth: The Role of Parental Alcohol Use - Presenting Author: Valerie V Salcido, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Non-Presenting Author: N. Keita Christophe, McGill University; Non-Presenting Author: Gabriela Livas Stein, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• Familism and Academic Outcomes Among Latinx Adolescents in the US Midwest - Presenting Author: Maciel M. Hernández, University of California - Davis; Non-Presenting Author: Zoe Ellen Taylor, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Non-Presenting Author: Blake L. Jones, Brigham Young University

• Filial Responsibilities, Problem Behaviors, and Familism Among Latinx Adolescents - Presenting Author: Rosa I Toro, California State University, Fresno; Non-Presenting Author: Yovani Muñoz, California State University - Fresno; Non-Presenting Author: Joann M Farver, University of Southern California

• Latinx Adolescents' Daily Lives: Examining Peer Experiences, Emotional Well-being, and Parent-Child Interactions - Presenting Author: Griselda Martinez, University of Washington; Non-Presenting Author: Jasmin Castillo, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Non-Presenting Author: Mayra Y Bamaca, University of California-Merced; Non-Presenting Author: Dawn Paula Witherspoon, Pennsylvania State University, University Park