Developmental Changes in Latinx Parenting Behaviors during Adolescence: Variation by Neighborhood Structural Characteristics

• In Event: Latinx Parenting Behaviors in Context

Abstract

In Eurocentric parenting research, parent-adolescent relationships often are characterized by decreased reliance on parental guidance, protection, and warmth, and increased parent-child conflict from early to middle adolescence (Branje, 2018; Steinberg & Morris, 2001). Cultural-developmental researchers recognize that parenting trajectories in ethnic and racially minoritized families in the U.S. might not follow similar patterns (García Coll et al., 1996). Considering the numeric significance and cultural uniqueness of Latinx families, it is important to understand how Latinx parenting behaviors change across adolescence. Further, scholars (e.g., Noah, 2015; García Coll et al., 1996) note that parenting acts as a mechanism linking neighborhoods to adolescent development. No research has examined how neighborhood structural characteristics – concentrated poverty and ethnic-racial compositions – influence parenting trajectories in Latinx families. Using a cohort-sequential design, the current study estimated developmental trajectories of five parenting processes – solicitation, behavioral control, autonomy support, parent-adolescent conflict, and warmth – occurring from early to middle adolescence among Latinx youth (Aim 1). We also examined how parenting trajectories were associated with neighborhood characteristics, including concentrated poverty, Latinx concentration, and ethnic-racial diversity (Aim 2).
Data derive from 5 waves (W1-W5) of a study of Latinx adolescents (N = 547) in Atlanta, GA, a new immigrant receiving area where Latinx population growth has increased neighborhood ethnic-racial diversity. Latinx adolescents (MW1age=12.8 years) were: 55.4% female, 88.1% US-born, and 52.3% Mexican descent. Adolescents reported (W1-W5) on parental solicitation (.93>α<.94) and control (Stattin & Kerr, 2000; .84>α<.89), autonomy support (Fousiani et al., 2014; .86>α<.92), parent-adolescent conflict (Foster & Robin, 1989; .86>α<.91), and warmth (Shaefer, 1965; .93>α<.96). Neighborhood concentrated poverty, Latinx concentration, and ethnic-racial diversity in census tracts were used as both time-varying/within-person (WP) and between-person (BP) covariates. Two-level growth models with time nested within individuals were used (SAS PROC MIXED).
Results addressing aim 1 (Table 1) indicated that parental control and autonomy support were stable; parental solicitation showed a curvilinear increase that waned over time; parent-adolescent conflict and warmth declined linearly. Results addressing aim 2 indicated that neighborhoods’ higher levels (BP) of concentrated poverty, Latinx concentration, and ethnic-racial diversity predicted lower parental autonomy support and warmth. On occasions when youth were exposed to higher than their own average (WP) levels of neighborhood Latinx concentration and diversity, they experienced lower parental solicitation. Changes in parental warmth depended upon average levels of neighborhood characteristics (“neighborhood BP x time” effect). Parental warmth declined more strongly in neighborhoods with lower concentrated poverty (Figure 1).
Overall, solicitation, control, autonomy support, and parent-adolescent conflict in Latinx families deviated from patterns shown in Eurocentric parenting research. Residence in high concentrated poverty and more Latinx/diverse neighborhoods may motivate parents to protect adolescents and tighten down on autonomy but may disrupt parents’ ability to maintain warmth. Additional Latinx neighbors, which increased neighborhood ethnic-racial diversity, might help monitor Latinx adolescents and relieve parents’ solicitation responsibility. By utilizing multiple time points and focusing on Latinx youth, this research addressed important gaps in knowledge about the link between neighborhoods and parenting. The stability of models will be tested across adolescent gender and nativity.

Authors

• Chang (Jenny) Zhao, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author

• Rebecca M. B. White, Arizona State University

• Carmen Kho, North Dakota State University

• Kathleen M Roche, George Washington University

• Claudia A. Vega, Arizona State University

• Kimberly R. Osborne, Arizona State University