Poster #28 - The Prominence of the Acculturation Gap Among Latinx Families: Is a Shift in Focus Needed?

• In Event: Poster Session 12

Abstract

The acculturation gap distress hypothesis states that a differential rate of acculturation between immigrant parents and their children creates an acculturation gap (AG), which leads to compromised youth adjustment and family functioning. However, the empirical research examining the gap is inconclusive (Nieri et al., 2016). The inconsistencies in the literature are believed to arise from inconsistencies in measurement and calculation approaches. Furthermore, recent scholarship has noted that the AG may be a normative occurrence and thus merits a shift in focus (Telzer, 2016). For example, the degree of youth heritage culture orientation above and beyond parental orientations is of interest. Thus, the current study examined the association between the AG among Latinx parents and children and problems behaviors, and family conflict. Specifically, multiple indicators of cultural practices (i.e., behaviors, language, identity, and values) and the three main approaches to calculating the AG were utilized. In addition, examination of the influence of youth heritage culture maintenance on behavior and family conflict was also examined. It is expected that results will not support the AG narrative and findings indicating that heritage culture maintenance among Latinx youth is associated with less problem behaviors and family conflict. Participants included 237 parent-child dyads residing in central California and were recruited from area high schools. The majority of parents were mothers (89.4%) and first-generation Mexican immigrants (72.15%). The majority of adolescents (mage = 14.17, sdage = .45) were US-born (90.29%) and over half were female (59.92%). Parents and adolescents reported, via computer-based questionnaires, on mainstream and heritage culture behaviors (ARSMA-II: Cuéllar et al., 1995 and BIQ-S: Szapocznik et al., 1980), language (Chia & Costiga, 2006; Szapocznik et al., 1980), identity (Umana-Taylor et al., 2007), and values (MACVS: Knight et al., 2010). In terms of reports of family conflict (Robin & Foster, 1989; Basáñez et al., 2013) and child behavior problems (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001), these were solely obtained from parents. Finally, procedures were approved by an IRB and participant informed consent was obtained. Findings demonstrated mixed support for the AG distress hypothesis (see Table 1). First, via the difference score method, results demonstrated that a gap in mainstream values was associated with lower externalizing behaviors, and identity was associated with general family and intergenerational cultural conflict, respectively. With respect to the interaction method, interactions in which the child was high in mainstream behaviors were associated with lower externalizing behaviors. Next, results via the match/mismatch method indicated that mismatches in which the child was high and the parent was low in mainstream behaviors and heritage values were associated with higher externalizing and internalizing behaviors than matched dyads, respectively. Additionally, mismatches in mainstream values and language in which the parent is high and the child is low were associated with higher general family and intergenerational cultural conflict, respectively. Finally, results involving adolescent heritage culture maintenance did not generate any significant results. Overall, the results indicate that the occurrence of an AG may be common. Future research should consider adaptive strategies families use when experiencing an AG.

Authors

• Emely Covarrubias, University of California Merced
  Presenting Author

• Rosa I Toro, California State University, Fresno