Adaptation of the Family Stress Model in a Sample of Latinx Caregivers from Community Clinics

• In Event: The Well-Being of Young U.S. Latinx Children Within the Context of Parental Stress

Abstract

Background: The Family Stress Model (FSM) posits that economic pressure caused by poverty increases parental distress which decreases warm and nurturing parenting behaviors, affecting child outcomes (Conger et al. 1992). While the model is well established, much of the FSM literature centers white families and focuses on parental depression. Research with Latinx families is promising (Davis et al., 2020; Calzada & O'Gara, 2019; Hurwich‐Reiss & Watamura, 2019); however, additional measures of parental distress such as parenting stress and factors impacting Latinx families should be considered (Barnett, 2008; Iruka et al., 2012; White et al., 2015). Acculturation, or the degree to which an individual identifies with the dominant culture and/or their culture of origin, may impact how the FSM functions in Latinx families, but research is mixed (Hurwich‐Reiss & Watamura, 2019; Iruka et al., 2012; White et al., 2015). This may be due to varying definitions of acculturation (Kim & Alamilla, 2017). One component to acculturation is how closely individuals identify with a US identity vs. their culture of origin (Zea et al., 2014), which can influence family functioning (McDonald et al., 2020). To better understand the impacts of family stress in Latinx families, the present study tests a culturally informed model of the FSM with Latinx families.

Method: A sample of 163 Latinx caregivers of children aged 2 to 11 was used. The sample was recruited from federally qualifying health clinics in an urban area in central Texas and data was collected in the summer of 2020 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifty-three percent of caregivers identified as Mexican and 96% as female. Measures were completed in Spanish (59%) or English (41%). Using path modeling, pathways between financial stress and parenting stress; parenting stress and parenting practices; and parenting practices and child behavior ratings were tested. Acculturation’s effect on parenting stress, reactive parenting practices, and child behavior rating was also tested.

Results: Model fit was acceptable for the initial model testing financial stress’ impact on parenting stress, its impact on parenting practices, and parenting practices’ impact on child behavior. Parenting stress significantly impacted reactive parenting practices, and both responsive and reactive parenting practices significantly impacted child behavior ratings. Pathways between financial stress and parenting stress, as well as parenting stress and responsive parenting practices, were not significant. Model fit for the model including US identity endorsement was also acceptable. US identity significantly impacted child behavior ratings but did not significantly impact parenting stress or reactive parenting practices.

Conclusions: The FSM continues to hold up in a sample of Latinx families, even when considering alternative metrics of parental distress such as parenting stress. Additionally, caregivers with strong US identities may perceive child behavior differently from caregivers without. Reasons for this discrepancy in reported disruptive behaviors will be discussed.

Authors

• Dominique Egger, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Rebecca Woo, Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center

• Esther J Calzada, University of Texas at Austin

• Sarah Kate Bearman, The University of Texas at Austin