Examining Diversity in the School-Based Experiences of Latinx Families: Stressors, Support Processes, and Well-Being

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Latinx parents and youth are exposed to a myriad of psychosocial stressors such as changing immigration policies, discrimination, and stress associated with cultural adaptation (e.g., acculturative stress; Rodriguez et al., 2015). These stressors may have lifelong implications for well-being (García Coll et al., 1996). This symposium will expand on existing work that has mostly examined the implications of stressors outside the school setting, by examining stressors within the school context and their implications to the well-being of parents and youth. The papers in this symposium will highlight the significant role schools have in the interplay between the stressors and well-being among Latinx parents and youth. Specifically, paper one utilized a mixed method design to explore the school-based stress experiences of mothers’ and their association with maternal and youth well-being in the context of a harsh socio-political/immigration climate. Paper two longitudinally examined trauma reactions as a possible explanation in the link between school discrimination and rule-breaking behaviors. Finally, paper three examined school belonging as a protective factor in the longitudinal associations between acculturative stress and two indicators of school functioning namely, academic self-efficacy and GPA. Collectively, these papers show that the school context may play a dual role; serving both as a context for risk and as a context that affords support for Latinx youth and their parents. Implications for school administrators and policy makers in light of our findings will be discussed.

Sub Unit

• Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Chair

• Rayni Thomas, University of Arizona

Discussant

• Gabriela Livas Stein, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Individual Presentations

• Latina immigrant mothers experiencing the immigration climate: Helpful and harmful school-based interactions and communication - Presenting Author: R. Gabriela Barajas-Gonzalez, New York University School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Author: Anya Urcuyo, New York University School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Author: Elaine Salamanca, New York University School of Medicine; Non-Presenting Author: Heliana Linares Torres, New York University School of Medicine

• School Racial/Ethnic Discrimination, Rule-Breaking Behavior and the Mediating Role of Trauma Reactions Among Latinx Adolescents - Presenting Author: Ana Maria Meléndez Guevara, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Rebecca M. B. White, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Sarah Lindstrom-Johnson, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Rajni L. Nair, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Kathleen M Roche, George Washington University; Non-Presenting Author: Chang (Jenny) Zhao, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Claudia A. Vega, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Carmen Kho, North Dakota State University; Non-Presenting Author: Ronae Matriano, Arizona State University

• The Role of School Belonging in the Association Between Acculturative Stress and School Functioning - Presenting Author: Rayni Thomas, University of Arizona; Non-Presenting Author: Melissa Y Delgado, University of Arizona; Non-Presenting Author: Rajni L. Nair, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Kiera Midori Coulter, University of Texas at Austin