The Effect of Maternal Cultural Socialization on Mexican American Children’s Perceived Parenting and Mental Health

• In Event: Latinx Parenting Behaviors in Context

Abstract

Two recurring aspects of parental cultural socialization of children among Mexican origin families in the United States are dimensions of respeto (respect) and independencia (independence). Values of respeto emphasize obedience to parents and adults, proper manners and behavior, and serve as values that aim to maintain harmony within the family and broader networks (Calzada et al., 2010; González-Ramos, Zayas, & Cohen, 1998). Socialization of respeto is associated with more family cohesion and less family conflict, more authoritarian parenting, less encouragement of child autonomy and exploratory behavior, and lower levels of acculturation (Calzada et al., 2010; González-Ramos et al., 1998; Lorenzo-Blanco et al., 2012). Respeto is contrasted with European American values of independence, which emphasize and encourage child openness, autonomy, and assertiveness, and often associated with higher levels of acculturation and more authoritarian parenting among Mexican origin mothers (Calzada et al., 2012; 2017). Findings regarding the promotive effects of cultural socialization of respeto vs. independence on children’s emerging mental health (internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms) are mixed (Calzada et al., 2012; Calzada et al., 2017; Gil et al., 2000; Lorenzo-Blanco et al., 2012). Child perceptions of parenting may act as one mechanism underlying the mixed effects of parental cultural socialization on children’s emerging mental health, given familial and child cultural contexts may impact the degree to which parenting behaviors are viewed as supportive or harmful by Mexican American youth (Crockett et al., 2007).

Among a sample of Mexican American families, the current study examined the effect of maternal cultural socialization of respect and independence on child perceptions of maternal parenting and subsequent mental health. Data was collected as part of an ongoing, prospective study of Mexican American mother-child dyads (N = 322; see Table 1). Child biological sex (0 = female; 1 = male) was gathered via maternal report at an initial postpartum home visit. Mothers reported on cultural socialization values at child age 4.5 years (CSLC; Calzada, 2007; Calzada et al., 2012) and child internalizing and externalizing symptoms at child age 7.5 years. Children reported on perceptions of maternal acceptance and rejection/harshness at age 7.5 years (CRPBI; Schaefer, 1965).

The primary model was evaluated using structural equation modeling in Mplus version 8 (Muthén & Muthén, 1998-2017; see Figure 1). Higher perceived maternal rejection/harshness was predicted by higher maternal socialization of respect (p = .003) and lower maternal socialization of independence (p = .006). Higher perceived maternal acceptance was predicted by higher maternal socialization of independence (p = .014). Higher perceived maternal rejection/harshness was associated with higher levels of child externalizing symptoms (p = .030). Mothers of female children reported higher socialization of respect (p = .025).

Maternal cultural socialization values emerged as significant predictors of child perceptions of maternal warmth and rejection/harshness, with implications for culturally sensitive models of parenting during early childhood among Mexican American families. Findings contribute to our understanding of child reported perceptions of maternal general parenting in relation to maternal cultural socialization. Future work may consider whether parental and child cultural orientation impact child perceptions of parenting.

Authors

• Sarah Gianna Curci, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author

• Linda J. Luecken, Arizona State University