- P.O.Box 210006
Administration Building #407
Tucson, Arizona 85719 - 520-626-0202
Andrea Romero
University of Arizona, Provost/Higher Education, Department Member
Depressive symptoms among Latina/o youth are associated with higher bicultural stress, such as outgroup discrimination, ingroup marginalization, speaking only one language in dual language contexts, and family cultural conflict. However,... more
Depressive symptoms among Latina/o youth are associated with higher bicultural stress, such as outgroup discrimination, ingroup marginalization, speaking only one language in dual language contexts, and family cultural conflict. However, the relation between bicultural stress and hopelessness or depressive symptoms may vary among Mexican descent adolescents. In particular, ethnic identity status, based on ethnic exploration and ethnic resolution, may protect or increase vulnerability to bicultural stressors. Participants included 522 Mexican descent adolescents (53.1% female; age range 14 to 18 years: M = 16.22 years, SD = 1.09 years) who completed a self-report survey at a school on the U.S./Mexico border with 97% Latina/o concentration. Three ethnic identity statuses (diffused, foreclosed, and achieved) were identified in this sample using cluster analysis based on ethnic identity exploration and resolution. A multiple group path analysis found that more hopelessness was significantly associated with more bicultural stress among diffused and achieved youth. Depressive symptoms were associated with bicultural stress only for achieved youth. Diffused ethnic identity youth reported the highest rates of hopelessness, and they reported more hopelessness when they reported higher rates of bicultural stress. Contrary to hypotheses, achieved ethnic identity status youth reported a significant association between bicultural stress and both hopelessness and depressive symptoms. Our results suggest that achieved ethnic identity may not necessarily be an unmitigated protective factor, particularly when considering intragroup marginalization in areas of high Latina/o concentration. Síntomas de depresión en adolecentes latino/as están asociados con estrés bicultural, tal como discriminación de otros grupos sociales, marginación entre sus propio grupo étnico, hablando solo un idioma en situaciones bilingües, y conflictos culturales entre familia. Sin embargo, la relación entre estrés bicultural y desesperación o síntomas depresivos puede variar en adolecentes de descendencia Mexicana. En particular, estatus de identidad étnico, basado en exploración étnica y resolución étnica, puede proteger contra o aumentar la vulnerabilidad al estresor bicultural. Participantes incluido son 522 adolescentes de descendencia Mexicana (53.1% féminas; las edades de participantes están entre 14 y 18: M = 16.22 años, SD = 1.09 años) quienes completaron una encuesta autoinforme en sus escuelas cerca de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México donde hay un concentración de 97% de estudiantes Latino/as. Identificaron tres estatus de identidad étnico (difusión de identidad, identidad hipotecada, logro de identidad) en esta prueba usando análisis de conglomerados basado en exploración étnica y resolución étnica. Un análisis de grupos múltiples indicó que la asociación entre la desesperación e estrés bicultural era estadísticamente significante para adolescentes en los estatus de difusión de identidad, o logro de identidad. La asociación entre síntomas de depresión e estrés bicultural solamente existe en adolecentes en el estatus de logro. Adolecentes con identidad étnico hipotecada reportaron los niveles más altos de desesperación, y reportaron más desesperación cuando reportaron niveles altos de estrés bicultural. Contrario a la hipótesis, adolecentes en el estatus de logro de identidad étnico reportaron una asociación significativa entre estrés bicultural y ambos desesperación y síntomas depresivos. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el estatus de logro de identidad étnico quizás no es un factor protector, particularmente en situaciones de marginación entre su propio grupo social con altas concentraciones de Latino/as.
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This chapter discusses the concepts of acculturative and bicultural stress, the theory and method behind the measurement, and the implications of the US immigration policy context for stress. The central sources of acculturative and... more
This chapter discusses the concepts of acculturative and bicultural stress, the theory and method behind the measurement, and the implications of the US immigration policy context for stress. The central sources of acculturative and bicultural stress are reviewed, including intergroup discrimination, language stress, intragroup marginalization, and family cultural conflict. In particular, literature is reviewed that examines the association between mental health and acculturative or bicultural stress. Extant research does demonstrate that degree of stress varies for individuals and that acculturative/bicultural stress is experienced not only by immigrants but also by minorities in the United States. Therefore, the present chapter reviews literature that connects the acculturative/bicultural stress process across generations. The immigration context is considered for future research in the area of acculturation and stress.
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Since the 1960s, in comparison to other ethnic and gender groups , a higher rate of depression and suicide ideation has been documented for Latina girls. This Brief offers a concise summary of contemporary research on this critical topic.... more
Since the 1960s, in comparison to other ethnic and gender groups , a higher rate of depression and suicide ideation has been documented for Latina girls. This Brief offers a concise summary of contemporary research on this critical topic. Among the considerations are the influence of bullying, families, immigration, and culture on Latina adolescent mental health. Presenting cutting-edge multiracial feminist frameworks for new and existing empirical findings, this book serves to guide the future research agenda on this topic. Clinical recommendations are also included.https://epublications.marquette.edu/marq_fac-book/1142/thumbnail.jp
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ObjectiveThe present study investigates associations between bicultural stress, coping, and responses to stress (RTS) in relation to depressive symptoms and self‐esteem for Mexican‐descent and non‐Latinx White college students.MethodWith... more
ObjectiveThe present study investigates associations between bicultural stress, coping, and responses to stress (RTS) in relation to depressive symptoms and self‐esteem for Mexican‐descent and non‐Latinx White college students.MethodWith a sample of 268 Mexican‐descent and non‐Latinx White college students, two multiple‐mediation path models and two moderation models are examined.ResultsThe hypothesized mediation models were both supported indicating higher bicultural stress is associated with higher reporting of engaged and disengaged forms of coping and RTS. Engaged coping was associated with mental health resiliency while disengaged coping and RTS contributed to vulnerability. Disengaged and secondary engaged coping were mediators in the depressive symptoms and self‐esteem models. In terms of moderation, disengaged coping and RTS were both moderators in the bicultural stress–depressive symptoms relationships.ConclusionsCollege students' reactions to bicultural stress may eith...
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BACKGROUND The Acculturative Process and Context Framework (Ward & Geeraert, 2016) proposes that acculturative stressors influence psychological well-being over time. In fact, extant literature has linked bicultural stress with... more
BACKGROUND The Acculturative Process and Context Framework (Ward & Geeraert, 2016) proposes that acculturative stressors influence psychological well-being over time. In fact, extant literature has linked bicultural stress with psychological functioning; yet, no studies have explored the causal dominance of bicultural stress. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the directionality of prospective relations among bicultural stress and psychosocial functioning (i.e., depressive symptoms, hopefulness, and self-esteem) in Latinx immigrant adolescents across 5 waves. METHOD There were 303 Latinx adolescents who were recruited for this study from Los Angeles and Miami and were assessed across 5 waves at 6-month intervals. Adolescents were 14.50 years old on average (SD = .88) and 53.16% were male. Adolescents reported living in the United States for 2.07 years on average (SD = 1.87). A Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) was used to examine the between- and within-person relations among bicultural stress, depressive symptoms, hopefulness, and self-esteem in a comprehensive model. RESULTS The comprehensive RI-CLPM including bicultural stress, depressive symptoms, hopefulness, and self-esteem exhibited excellent model fit. Between-person, trait-like relations among constructs ranged from small to large, as expected. Within-person, cross-lagged estimates among constructs were overall inconsistent, with some evidence that, within individuals, self-esteem influences later hopefulness. CONCLUSION Findings from this study indicate that the RI-CLPM is an effective strategy to examine bicultural stress and well-being processes among adolescents. There is a need for further research examining bicultural stress among Latinx immigrant youth, particularly within prevention and intervention studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Latino/a youth have reported the highest rates of suicide attempts compared to White and African American youth for over 40 years. The data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) cross-sectional subsamples of Latino/a... more
Latino/a youth have reported the highest rates of suicide attempts compared to White and African American youth for over 40 years. The data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) cross-sectional subsamples of Latino/a youth (N = 13,378) at every year of data collection between 2005 and 2015 were examined for bullying, gun carrying, and suicidality. Results indicate that Latina girls are significantly more likely than boys to make a suicide attempt and report more bullying and more cyberbullying, but are less likely to carry a gun. Being bullied or carrying a gun were significantly associated with greater likelihood of suicide attempt among both boys and girls. Youth who carried a gun overall had higher rates of suicide attempts whether they were bullied or not, whereas youth who did not carry a gun were significantly more likely to attempt suicide if they were bullied. Over the past 10 years, gun carrying has decreased significantly for Latino boys and suicide atte...
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ABSTRACT Guided by the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study examines the associations between gun carrying, bullying, and suicidal behaviors among high school students. Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were completed by 2,677... more
ABSTRACT Guided by the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study examines the associations between gun carrying, bullying, and suicidal behaviors among high school students. Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were completed by 2,677 students in 2011; 9.0% reported suicide attempt in the past year, 5.5% carried a gun in the past 30 days, 8.5% were involved in school bullying, and 3.9% in cyberbullying. After accounting for depressive symptoms and self-harm, multiple linear regression results demonstrate that youth who carried a gun in the past 30 days were 3.98 times more likely to attempt suicide. Bullying was not associated with suicide attempt; however, youth report being 1.55 times more likely to make a suicide plan if they were bullied in school, 1.89 times more likely if cyberbullied, and .48 less likely if a cyberbully/victim. Results support the interpersonal theory of suicide; implications for school policies on gun carrying and bullying are discussed.
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The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the work presented in this book about how South Tucson Prevention Coalition created community transformational resilience to prevent adolescent alcohol use. Community transformational resilience... more
The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the work presented in this book about how South Tucson Prevention Coalition created community transformational resilience to prevent adolescent alcohol use. Community transformational resilience is the ability of a collective group to transform their community in a manner that increases protective factors and limits risk factors. Community was created through the building of a coalition based on personalismo (value of personal relationships and positive communication) that was comprised of youth, community members, university researchers, and outside agencies. Transformation was built through the process of participatory action research in order to ensure equal participation in dialogue to increase critical consciousness of societal factors for adolescent alcohol use that lead to community-led/youth-led research. Resilience was created because the coalition changed the community environment by increasing community norms of disapproval of adolescent alcohol use and by limiting access to alcohol. Understanding community levels of readiness for change was valuable to creating incremental, yet exponential changes over time to prevent adolescent alcohol use.
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This chapter examines how youth-led participatory action research to map the locations of liquor licenses in their city led to youth and adult collaboration to prevent new liquor licenses. Alcohol accessibility is a significant factor... more
This chapter examines how youth-led participatory action research to map the locations of liquor licenses in their city led to youth and adult collaboration to prevent new liquor licenses. Alcohol accessibility is a significant factor associated with adolescent alcohol use. Youth living in lower income neighborhoods often have higher than typical exposure to alcohol accessibility. In many ways, this chapter demonstrates how the South Tucson Prevention Coalition (STPC) worked together to create community transformational resilience because they were able to transform their environment in order to limit risk factors for adolescent alcohol use in a manner that would impact all youth in the city for many years. Their example demonstrates how a community can transform their environment to enhance opportunities for youth positive development and to limit exposure to risk factors.
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The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the relevance of community norms for alcohol use when targeting prevention of adolescent alcohol use. During Phase 2, South Tucson Prevention Coalition (STPC) worked to raise community awareness... more
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the relevance of community norms for alcohol use when targeting prevention of adolescent alcohol use. During Phase 2, South Tucson Prevention Coalition (STPC) worked to raise community awareness of alcohol norms through biannual community-wide events and through a bilingual radio media campaign. This chapter also provides more insight into the way in which the coalition members utilized the Community Readiness Model for Change to help identify community norms and to match intervention strategies in order to target current community norms. Shifting community alcohol norms was one step to increase the community readiness for community transformation prevention strategies. Through the chronological presentation and analysis for coalition report summaries and public press releases, we analyze the important function of external funding, training of coalition members, and the way in which activities built on each other to reach a higher level of readiness that lead to community transformational resilience. We also demonstrate the importance of transparent communication, positive communication, and mission-oriented communication between the coalition, the community, and the local government.
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The purpose of this chapter is to describe the key factors that contributed to the creation, success, and sustainability of the South Tucson Prevention Coalition (STPC) over a period of 8 years. STPC was a diverse coalition whose goal was... more
The purpose of this chapter is to describe the key factors that contributed to the creation, success, and sustainability of the South Tucson Prevention Coalition (STPC) over a period of 8 years. STPC was a diverse coalition whose goal was to prevent underage drinking in one city. Coalition members reflect on their success and describe four factors that contributed to their development. First, they describe how once they understood “We can’t do it alone”; their critical consciousness that adolescent alcohol use was influenced by societal context influenced their motivation to work with other agencies. Second, they describe the importance of having a central mission that brings agencies together with a common goal and common passion to help young people. Third, they describe operating guidelines of meetings that contributed to their empowerment. Lastly, they discuss how personalismo, the cultural value of prioritizing positive and trusting relationships, helped them connect with coalition members to sustain their involvement.
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Latina adolescents experience depression and suicidal ideations in a disproportionate manner compared to their non-Latina counterparts. We investigate suicide and depressive symptoms among a state-wide sample ( N = 650) of adolescent... more
Latina adolescents experience depression and suicidal ideations in a disproportionate manner compared to their non-Latina counterparts. We investigate suicide and depressive symptoms among a state-wide sample ( N = 650) of adolescent Latina girls with a focus on bullying as a predictor. Bullying rates are higher than previous studies have found for victimization at school (23%), cybervictimization (26%), school bully (18%), and cyberbully (18%). Rates for depressive symptoms (49%), suicide ideation (23%), suicide plan (17%), and suicide attempt(s; 13%) are higher than national averages. After controlling for depressive symptoms, girls who have been bullied were 1.5 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to girls who have not been victims. However, being a bully increased likelihood of suicide ideation (1.5) and suicide plan (1.4) compared to not being a bully. There is a continued need to prevent depressive symptoms and suicide among Latina girls and to further investigate th...
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Purpose. The primary purpose of the current study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a hip hop dance intervention, Latin Active, among low-income Mexican-American adolescents. Mexican-descent adolescents tend to have disproportionate... more
Purpose. The primary purpose of the current study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a hip hop dance intervention, Latin Active, among low-income Mexican-American adolescents. Mexican-descent adolescents tend to have disproportionate rates of low physical activity, overweight status, and obesity. Design. A 5-week intervention design with pretest and post-test self-report measures. Setting. Charter middle school (grades 6–9) health/science classes in a low-income neighborhood were the setting for the Latin Active intervention. Participants. Overall, 81 participants were recruited; 73 (n = 41, female; n = 32, male) provided active parental consent to complete pretest/post-test surveys. Intervention. The Latin Active program included 10 interactive 50-minute lessons that were delivered twice a week during science/health classes. The curriculum was created on the basis of Social Cognitive Theory, Critical Hip Hop Pedagogy, and feedback from key stakeholders. The lessons focused on ...
Research Interests: Music, Health Promotion, Poverty, Physical Activity, Dancing, and 15 moreAdolescent, Medicine, Physical Therapy, Overweight, Humans, Child, Female, Male, Exercise, Childhood Obesity Prevention, Mexican Americans, Public health systems and services research, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Pilot Projects, and Latin Americans
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Research Interests: Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health, Parenting, Acculturation, and 15 moreAdolescent, Medicine, Family Psychology, Immigrants and Emigrants, Humans, Aggression, Female, Alcohol Drinking, Male, Depressive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Family Relations, Self Concept, Longitudinal Studies, and Psychological Stress
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To better understand the impact of ethnic identity, it is important to examine people’s social construction, or definition, of that identity. In this study, the social construction of ethnic identity of predominantly low-acculturated,... more
To better understand the impact of ethnic identity, it is important to examine people’s social construction, or definition, of that identity. In this study, the social construction of ethnic identity of predominantly low-acculturated, first-and second-generation U.S. Mexicans and Mexican Americans was examined by asking focus group participants to talk about what it meant to them to be members of their ethnic groups. These open-ended responses then were coded along Phinney’s aspects of ethnicity. Several interesting patterns emerged, some of which have not been emphasized in previous literature, such as conflict with African Americans and Chicanas/Chicanos. Discussion centers on the value of listening to people’s social constructions of their ethnic identity to better understand their social realities.
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... Studies. Her e-mail address is olearya@email.arizona.edu Andrea Romero is an associate professor in the MA&RS department and in Family Studies & Human Develop-ment. Her e-mail address is:... more
... Studies. Her e-mail address is olearya@email.arizona.edu Andrea Romero is an associate professor in the MA&RS department and in Family Studies & Human Develop-ment. Her e-mail address is: romeroa@email.arizona.edu
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This study examined longitudinal effects of adolescent and parent cultural stress on adolescent and parent emotional well-being and health behaviors via trajectories of adolescent and parent family functioning. Recent immigrant Latino... more
This study examined longitudinal effects of adolescent and parent cultural stress on adolescent and parent emotional well-being and health behaviors via trajectories of adolescent and parent family functioning. Recent immigrant Latino adolescents (Mage = 14.51) and parents (Mage = 41.09; N = 302) completed measures of these constructs. Latent growth modeling indicated that adolescent and parent family functioning remained stable over time. Early levels of family functioning predicted adolescent and parent outcomes. Baseline adolescent cultural stress predicted lower positive adolescent and parent family functioning. Latent class growth analyses produced a two-class solution for family functioning. Adolescents and parents in the low family functioning class reported low family functioning over time. Adolescents and parents in the high family functioning class experienced increases in family functioning.
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Research Interests: Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Depression, Individuality, and 15 moreRisk Taking, Acculturation, Adolescent, Medicine, Immigrants and Emigrants, Los Angeles, Humans, United States, Female, Male, Young Adult, Psychosocial, Self Concept, Longitudinal Studies, and Youth & Adolescence
Research Interests: Psychology, Parenting, Adolescent Health, Acculturation, Adolescent, and 15 moreMedicine, Immigrants and Emigrants, Immigrants, Latinos, Humans, Female, Alcohol Drinking, Male, Family Functioning, Longitudinal Studies, Sex Factors, Family Conflict, Likelihood Functions, Unsafe Sex, and HIV infections
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Drawing from a theory of bicultural family functioning 2 models were tested to examine the longitudinal effects of acculturation-related variables on adolescent health risk behaviors and depressive symptoms (HRB/DS) mediated by caregiver... more
Drawing from a theory of bicultural family functioning 2 models were tested to examine the longitudinal effects of acculturation-related variables on adolescent health risk behaviors and depressive symptoms (HRB/DS) mediated by caregiver and adolescent reports of family functioning. One model examined the effects of caregiver-adolescent acculturation discrepancies in relation to family functioning and HRB/DS. A second model examined the individual effects of caregiver and adolescent acculturation components in relation to family functioning and HRB/DS. A sample of 302 recently immigrated Hispanic caregiver-child dyads completed measures of Hispanic and U.S. cultural practices, values, and identities at baseline (predictors); measures of family cohesion, family communications, and family involvement 6 months postbaseline (mediators); and only adolescents completed measures of smoking, binge drinking, inconsistent condom use, and depressive symptoms 1 year postbaseline (outcomes). Mea...
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ABSTRACT Ethnic identity development may increase resilience to discrimination and prejudice, which are often common and stressful for ethnic minority adolescents. Based on ethnic identity development theory and resilience theory, we... more
ABSTRACT Ethnic identity development may increase resilience to discrimination and prejudice, which are often common and stressful for ethnic minority adolescents. Based on ethnic identity development theory and resilience theory, we hypothesize that under high discrimination stress, ethnic affirmation and ethnic identity stage will have protective moderating effects on self-esteem and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional self-report study with 125 ethnic minority adolescents (13–18 years) found that ethnic affirmation (p < .05) had protective effects on depressive symptoms (p < .05) and protective-enhancing effects on self-esteem at high levels of discrimination stress. Achieved ethnic identity stage (p < .05) had protective-stabilizing effects on self-esteem at high discrimination stress. Our findings demonstrate that the protective elements of ethnic identity are feeling positive about one's ethnic group, having learned about one's history, and having resolved conflicts about one's ethnic group.
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The current research is designed to explore the relationship among discrimination stress, coping strategies, and self-esteem among Mexican descent youth ( N = 73, age 11-15 years). Results suggest that primary control engagement and... more
The current research is designed to explore the relationship among discrimination stress, coping strategies, and self-esteem among Mexican descent youth ( N = 73, age 11-15 years). Results suggest that primary control engagement and disengagement coping strategies are positively associated with discrimination stress. Furthermore, self-esteem is predicted by an interaction of primary control engagement coping and discrimination stress, such that at higher levels of discrimination stress, youth who engaged in more primary control engagement coping reported higher self-esteem. The authors' findings indicate that Mexican descent youth are actively finding ways to cope with the common experience of negative stereotypes and prejudice, such that their self-esteem is protected from the stressful impact of discrimination and prejudice. Implications of these findings for Latino/a youth resilience are discussed.
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Understanding contemporary socio-cultural stressors may assist educational, clinical and policy-level health promotion efforts. This study presents descriptive findings on a new measure, the border community and immigration stress scale.... more
Understanding contemporary socio-cultural stressors may assist educational, clinical and policy-level health promotion efforts. This study presents descriptive findings on a new measure, the border community and immigration stress scale. The data were from two community surveys as part of community based participatory projects conducted in the Southwestern US border region. This scale includes stressful experiences reflected in extant measures, with new items reflecting heightened local migration pressures and health care barriers. Stressors representing each main domain, including novel ones, were reported with frequency and at high intensity in the predominantly Mexican-descent samples. Total stress was also significantly associated with mental and physical health indicators. The study suggests particularly high health burdens tied to the experience of stressors in the US border region. Further, many of the stressors are also likely relevant for other communities within developed ...
Research Interests: Psychology, Border Studies, Migration, Acculturation Stress, Migration Studies, and 15 moreMedicine, Immigrants and Emigrants, Immigrants, Humans, Arizona, Female, Male, Mexican Americans, Aged, Middle Aged, Questionnaires, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Bicultural stress, and Immigration Stress
This chapter provides an overview of research on the mental health of Latinos in the United States with emphasis on the cultural constructs and theories with relevance for assessment and intervention with this population. A distinction is... more
This chapter provides an overview of research on the mental health of Latinos in the United States with emphasis on the cultural constructs and theories with relevance for assessment and intervention with this population. A distinction is made between factors that confer advantages and those that may increase vulnerability at both the individual and environmental levels. This chapter suggests that treatment considerations need to be tailored based on individual needs that incorporate complexities of culture and gender so that clients are not viewed in a stereotypical manner. This discussion is followed by a summary of contemporary research rooted in positive and resilience psychology in order to build on strengths within the culture, such as positive ethnic identity, civic engagement, family support, bicultural teaching in the home, spirituality, and storytelling.
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This article arose from a discussion among Latinx scholars, disillusioned by the treatment and reaction to superstar-tennis-champion, mother and Black woman, Serena Williams, at the U.S. Open on September 8, 2018. It was clear to us that... more
This article arose from a discussion among Latinx scholars, disillusioned by the treatment and reaction to superstar-tennis-champion, mother and Black woman, Serena Williams, at the U.S. Open on September 8, 2018. It was clear to us that this performance of white racial framing (WRF) (Feagin, 2010) on Serena at this momentous point in the women's’ championship match was exacerbated by her intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989) as a Black woman, and as a mother. Because of Williams’ multiple intersections, we offer a counter-narrative to the popular one that went viral on social media -- the trope of the angry black woman trope, waving her finger in dissidence -- by highlighting William’s motherhood at the axis of oppression and the ways Williams defies existing tropes of motherhood.
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Guided by the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study examines the associations between gun carrying, bullying, and suicidal behaviors among high school students. Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were completed by 2,677 students in... more
Guided by the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study examines the
associations between gun carrying, bullying, and suicidal behaviors among
high school students. Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were completed
by 2,677 students in 2011; 9.0% reported suicide attempt in the past year,
5.5% carried a gun in the past 30 days, 8.5% were involved in school bullying,
and 3.9% in cyberbullying. After accounting for depressive symptoms and
self-harm, multiple linear regression results demonstrate that youth who
carried a gun in the past 30 days were 3.98 times more likely to attempt
suicide. Bullying was not associated with suicide attempt; however, youth
report being 1.55 times more likely to make a suicide plan if they were bullied
in school, 1.89 times more likely if cyberbullied, and .48 less likely if a
cyberbully/victim. Results support the interpersonal theory of suicide; implications
for school policies on gun carrying and bullying are discussed.
associations between gun carrying, bullying, and suicidal behaviors among
high school students. Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were completed
by 2,677 students in 2011; 9.0% reported suicide attempt in the past year,
5.5% carried a gun in the past 30 days, 8.5% were involved in school bullying,
and 3.9% in cyberbullying. After accounting for depressive symptoms and
self-harm, multiple linear regression results demonstrate that youth who
carried a gun in the past 30 days were 3.98 times more likely to attempt
suicide. Bullying was not associated with suicide attempt; however, youth
report being 1.55 times more likely to make a suicide plan if they were bullied
in school, 1.89 times more likely if cyberbullied, and .48 less likely if a
cyberbully/victim. Results support the interpersonal theory of suicide; implications
for school policies on gun carrying and bullying are discussed.
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Parent-adolescent discrepancies in family functioning play an important role in HIV risk behaviors among adolescents, yet longitudinal research with recent immigrant Hispanic families remains limited. This study tested the effects of... more
Parent-adolescent discrepancies in family functioning play an important role in HIV risk behaviors among adolescents, yet longitudinal research with recent immigrant Hispanic families remains limited. This study tested the effects of trajectories of parent–adolescent family functioning discrepancies on HIV risk behaviors among recent-immigrant Hispanic adolescents. Additionally, we examined whether and to what extent trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning discrepancies vary as a function of gender. We assessed family functioning of 302 Hispanic adolescents (47 % female) and their parent (70 % female) at six time points over a three-year period and computed latent discrepancy scores between parent and adolescent reports at each timepoint. Additionally, adolescents completed measures of sexual risk behaviors and alcohol use. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to determine the feasibility of collapsing parent and adolescent reported family functioning indicators onto a single latent discrepancy variable, tested model invariance over time, and conducted growth mixture modeling (GMM). GMM yielded a three-class solution for discrepancies: High-Increasing, High-Stable, and Low-Stable. Relative to the Low-Stable class, parent–adolescent dyads in the High-Increasing and High-Stable classes were at greater risk for adolescents reporting sexual debut at time 6. Additionally, the High-Stable class was at greater risk, relative to the Low-Stable class, in terms of adolescent lifetime alcohol use at 30 months post-baseline. Multiple group GMM indicated that trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning trajectories did not vary by gender. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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Understanding contemporary socio-cultural stressors may assist educational, clinical and policy-level health promotion efforts. This study presents descriptive findings on a new measure, the border community and immigration stress scale.... more
Understanding contemporary socio-cultural stressors may assist educational, clinical and policy-level health promotion efforts. This study presents descriptive findings on a new measure, the border community and immigration stress scale. The data were from two community surveys as part of community based participatory projects conducted in the Southwestern US border region. This scale includes stressful experiences reflected in extant measures, with new items reflecting heightened local migration pressures and health care barriers. Stressors representing each main domain, including novel ones, were reported with frequency and at high intensity in the predominantly Mexican-descent samples. Total stress was also significantly associated with mental and physical health indicators. The study suggests particularly high health burdens tied to the experience of stressors in the US border region. Further, many of the stressors are also likely relevant for other communities within developed nations also experiencing high levels of migration.
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Objectives. This study investigated differences in behavioural health protective and risk factors in US Latino and non-Latino White adolescents as well as differences among Latinos with different levels of acculturation using a bicultural... more
Objectives. This study investigated differences in behavioural health protective and risk factors in US Latino and non-Latino White adolescents as well as differences among Latinos with different levels of acculturation using a bicultural acculturation model. The bicultural model is consistent with current understanding of cultural change processes; however it has infrequently been applied to understand adolescent health outcomes. The outcomes included risk and health behaviours as well as mental health factors consistent with Jessor's framework for describing adolescents' health status. Design. Participants included 1119 students randomly selected from all middle schools of a Northern California district. Respondents completed project staff administered self-reports surveys in their schools that included assessments of health behaviours, mental health, and socio-cultural variables—including acculturation level. Results. Latinos were at higher risk than non-Latino Whites in the following areas: academic orientation, physical activity, and sunscreen use. Boys and those of lower social class were more likely to report use of various substances and violence. Among Latinos, those in the marginalised acculturation group—those with less attachments and adaptations to Latino and other cultures, showed less desirable mental health outcomes than the bicultural group. Conclusion. These results extend prior research by assessing the health needs of early adolescent youth. The study found important differences within Latinos using a bicul-tural acculturation model. The use of a bicultural acculturation model, or cultural orientation approach more generally, may have especial utility for addressing health issues wherever minority populations interact with a dominant society.
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This study examined longitudinal effects of cultural stress (a latent factor comprised of bicultural stress, ethnic discrimination, and negative context of reception) on depressive symptoms and a range of externalizing behaviors among... more
This study examined longitudinal effects of cultural stress (a latent factor comprised of bicultural stress, ethnic discrimination, and negative context of reception) on depressive symptoms and a range of externalizing behaviors among recently (5 years in the U.S. at baseline) immigrated Hispanic adolescents. A sample of 302 adolescents (53% boys; mean age 14.51 years) completed baseline measures of perceived ethnic discrimination, bicul-tural stress, and perceived negative context of reception; and outcome measures of depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, aggressive behavior, and rule-breaking behavior six months post-baseline. A path analysis indicated that higher cultural stress scores predicted higher levels of all outcomes. These effects were consistent across genders, but varied by study site. Specifically, higher cultural stress scores increased depressive symptoms among participants in Miami, but not in Los Angeles. Findings suggest that cultural stress is a clinically relevant predictor of depressive symptoms and externalizing behaviors among Hispanic immigrant adolescents.
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This study examined longitudinal effects of cultural stress (a latent factor comprised of bicultural stress, ethnic discrimination, and negative context of reception) on depressive symptoms and a range of externalizing behaviors among... more
This study examined longitudinal effects of cultural stress (a latent factor comprised of bicultural stress, ethnic discrimination, and negative context of reception) on depressive symptoms and a range of externalizing behaviors among recently (≤5 years in the U.S. at baseline) immigrated Hispanic adolescents. A sample of 302 adolescents (53% boys; mean age 14.51 years) completed baseline measures of perceived ethnic discrimination, bicultural stress, and perceived negative context of reception; and outcome measures of depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, aggressive behavior, and rule-breaking behavior six months post-baseline. A path analysis indicated that higher cultural stress scores predicted higher levels of all outcomes. These effects were consistent across genders, but varied by study site. Specifically, higher cultural stress scores increased depressive symptoms among participants in Miami, but not in Los Angeles. Findings suggest that cultural stress is a clinically relevant predictor of depressive symptoms and externalizing behaviors among Hispanic immigrant adolescents.
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Research Interests:
Research Interests:
To investigate factors of low-income neighborhoods and households on physical activity with a sample of adolescents from low-income neighborhoods.Middle-school-aged youth (n = 74) from a low-income neighborhood completed self-report... more
To investigate factors of low-income neighborhoods and households on physical activity with a sample of adolescents from low-income neighborhoods.Middle-school-aged youth (n = 74) from a low-income neighborhood completed self-report surveys. Measures include vigorous exercise frequency, neighborhood hazards, after-school time demands, availability of facilities, quality of facilities, and perceived safety. Hierarchical multiple linear regression and Pearson product moment correlations were conducted to test hypotheses that more frequent physical activity would be associated with more available locations, better quality facilities, fewer time demands, more after-school programs, more perceived safety, and more hazards.Results indicate that more physical activity was associated with more hours spent in after-school programs (r = .50, p < .001) and perception of higher quality of local facilities (r = .28, p < .05). Perception of safe adults at local facilities accounted for more variance than perception of neighborhood hazards in the association with physical activity even after accounting for gender, age, and socioeconomic status.Future health promotion programs should consider factors of after-school programs such as quality, cost, and presence of safe adults when attempting to increase and maintain youth physical activity in lower income areas.
Research Interests: Education, Health Promotion, Poverty, Physical Activity, Adolescent Health, and 17 moreAdolescent, Activities of Daily Living, Humans, Child, Female, Male, Exercise, Multiple Linear Regression, Socioeconomic Status, Health Status, Sex Factors, Age Factors, Health surveys, Hazards, Low Income, Cross Sectional Studies, and Adolescent Behavior
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The perception of bicultural stress, stress due to discrimination/prejudice, immigration, and acculturation, was investigated in relation to mental well-being in a sample of urban Latino (n = 304), European American (n = 215), and Asian... more
The perception of bicultural stress, stress due to discrimination/prejudice, immigration, and acculturation, was investigated in relation to mental well-being in a sample of urban Latino (n = 304), European American (n = 215), and Asian American (n = 131) 8th grade students. Bicultural stress was reported by all ethnic groups and was significantly associated with more depressive symptoms and less optimism (only for females), after accounting for ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, and age. Latino and Asian American youth were more likely to report more stressors, although after controlling for sociodemographic variables the differences predominantly remained only between Asian Americans and European Americans. Lower socioeconomic status, male gender, and not speaking English also were associated with more stress. The negative impact of bicultural stress on adolescent depressive symptoms and optimism indicates the need for mental health researchers and service providers to consider the cultural context of stress for adolescents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 519–534, 2007.
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Objectives . The study examined the relation between adolescent risk behaviors and bicultural stress due to discrimination, immigration, and acculturation factors. We hypothesized bicultural stress would be related to increased risk... more
Objectives . The study examined the relation between adolescent risk behaviors and bicultural stress due to discrimination, immigration, and acculturation factors. We hypothesized bicultural stress would be related to increased risk behavior and depressive symptoms independent of socioeconomic status, ethnic self-identification, and acculturation. Design . Middle school student participants (n=519; median age 14) completed a self-report questionnaire on their risk behaviors, psychosocial antecedents, and socio-demographic factors. Latino (304) and non-Latino European American (215) students were surveyed through a large, urban, West Coast US school district. Results . More bicultural stress was significantly related to reports of all risk behaviors (i.e. smoking, drinking, drug use, and violence) and depressive symptoms. Further, bicultural stress was a robust explanatory variable across sub-groups, and appears largely independent from depressive symptoms. Conclusion . The hypotheses were supported. Bicultural stress appears to be an important underlying factor for health disparities among US adolescents. Future research may consider promoting well-being in majority, as well as minority adolescents, through targeting sources of bicultural stressors or examining ways to moderate their effects on adolescent risk behaviors.
Research Interests: Sociology, Cognitive Science, Psychometrics, Depression, Culture, and 21 moreHealth Disparities, Risk Taking, Ethnicity And Health, Acculturation, Adolescent, Urban Health, Social Identification, Drug Use, California, Humans, Child, Female, Male, Socioeconomic Status, Questionnaires, Public health systems and services research, Health surveys, European Continental Ancestry Group, Risk Behavior, Depressive Symptoms, and Socioeconomic Factors
Research Interests: Sociology, Cognitive Science, Health Behavior, Mental Health, Physical Activity, and 21 moreRisk Taking, Adolescent Health, Ethnicity And Health, Acculturation, Adolescent, Ethnicity, Social Class, Cultural change, Health behaviour, Humans, Child, Female, Male, Biculturalism, Risk factors, Health Status, Public health systems and services research, European Continental Ancestry Group, Risk Factors, Protective Factor, and Socioeconomic Factors
The rejection-identification model is investigated with multiple dimensions of ethnic identity in a sample of Mexican American youth. It is hypothesized that more perceived discrimination will be associated with higher ethnic identity in... more
The rejection-identification model is investigated with multiple dimensions of ethnic identity in a sample of Mexican American youth. It is hypothesized that more perceived discrimination will be associated with higher ethnic identity in general, but that the multiple dimensions of ethnic identity will be associated differentially with discrimination. Higher perceived discrimination will be associated with more ethnic exploration and less ethnic affirmation. Self-report questionnaires were completed by middle school students of Mexican descent (N= 881). Based on structural equation modeling, the data were found to fit the rejection-identification model (p < .05). Higher discrimination was associated with lower ethnic affirmation (p < .05) and lower ethnic exploration (p < .05). Post hoc analyses indicated a significant interaction between discrimination and ethnic affirmation (p < .01) such that youth with high ethnic affirmation who experienced high discrimination still reported high self-esteem. The findings are discussed in the context of understanding methods of coping with prejudice and discrimination that will enhance the mental well-being of minority youth.
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Despite current interest in the multi-dimensionality of culture and ethnicity there are few studies that have explored the role of discrimination with ethnocultural variables. In this study social identity theory was used as a framework... more
Despite current interest in the multi-dimensionality of culture and ethnicity there are few studies that have explored the role of discrimination with ethnocultural variables. In this study social identity theory was used as a framework to test the relation between discrimination and components of ethnic identity, and attitudes towards out-groups. A school-based survey in a large south-west metropolitan area in 1994 was undertaken with students (n=3071) of African–American, European–American, Mexican–American, and Vietnamese–American descent using multiple measures of ethnicity. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that two components of ethnic identity played different roles in the relation between discrimination and attitudes towards others. Consistent with social identity theory, results indicated that perception of more discrimination was predicted by high ethnic exploration, and having more negative attitudes towards out-groups. However, ethnic affirmation, which is a positive sense of belonging to one's ethnic group, was only indirectly related to discrimination through attitudes toward others. In fact, contrary to social identity theory, a stronger sense of belonging to one's group was associated with more positive attitudes toward out-groups. Results have important implications for race relations.
Research Interests: Psychology, Social Identity, Prejudice, Ethnic Identity, Vietnam, and 22 moreSocial Perception, Acculturation, Adolescent, Social identity theory, Humans, African American, Europe, Adolescence, United States, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Attitude, Mexican American, Awareness, Ethnic Groups, Multiple Regression, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Self Concept, Ethnic Group, Psychological Models, Multi Dimensional, and South West
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Research Interests: Education, Health Promotion, Poverty, Physical Activity, Adolescent Health, and 17 moreAdolescent, Activities of Daily Living, Humans, Child, Female, Male, Exercise, Multiple Linear Regression, Socioeconomic Status, Health Status, Sex Factors, Age Factors, Health surveys, Hazards, Low Income, Cross Sectional Studies, and Adolescent Behavior
We examined coping with risky behaviors (cigarettes, alcohol/drugs, yelling/ hitting, and anger), familism (family proximity and parental closeness) and parental monitoring (knowledge and discipline) in a sample of 56 adolescents (11–15... more
We examined coping with risky behaviors (cigarettes, alcohol/drugs, yelling/ hitting, and anger), familism (family proximity and parental closeness) and parental monitoring (knowledge and discipline) in a sample of 56 adolescents (11–15 years old) predominantly of Mexican descent at two time points. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that more time spent with family (proximity) at Time 1 significantly predicts higher parental monitoring at Time two. Coping with more risky behaviors at Time 1 was significantly associated with less parental monitoring at Time 2. More parental closeness Time 1, more parental monitoring Time 1, and more parental monitoring Time 2 were associated with less coping with risky behaviors at Time 2. The cultural value of familism, particularly spending time with family in positive activities, appears to increase parental monitoring which may lead to less coping with risky behaviors among Mexican descent adolescents. Future studies may investigate gendered mechanisms for how extended family may increase not only parental knowledge of youth activities, but also youth perception of supervision.
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Research Interests: Multilingualism, Psychometrics, Depression, Acculturation, Cultural Diversity, and 13 moreAdolescent, Racial discrimination, Humans, Child, Personality Assessment Inventory, Coping, Female, Male, Mexican Americans, Intergenerational Relations, Self Concept, Depressive Symptoms, and Cross Sectional Studies
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Research Interests: Spanish, Multilingualism, Mental Health, Social Interaction, English, and 30 moreSocialization, Social Support, Acculturation, Social Identification, Mexico, California, Humans, Child, Socialisation, Female, Male, Value, Social Environment, Mexican American, Cultural value, Developmental, Mexican Americans, Family Relations, Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics, Social Values, Ethnic Group, Longitudinal Study, Group, Educational Status, Urban Population, MEXICO, Indexation, Health Outcome, Nino, and Socioeconomic Factors
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In the wake of the Tucson Unified School District dismantling its highly successful Mexican American Studies (MAS) program, students staged walkouts across the district to demonstrate their opposition. Student-led walkouts were portrayed... more
In the wake of the Tucson Unified School District dismantling its highly successful Mexican American Studies (MAS) program, students staged walkouts across the district to demonstrate their opposition. Student-led walkouts were portrayed as merely ‘‘ditching,’’ and students were described as not really understanding why they were protesting. After these events, a group of student activists called UNIDOS organized and led the School of Ethnic Studies. This was a community school dedicated to teaching the forbidden MAS curriculum. In this article we present counternarratives from organizers, presenters, and participants in the School of Ethnic Studies. These narratives demonstrate the transformative resistance
of students who created their own form of liberatory education. Our analysis highlights how student organizers led the creation of an autonomous, community-based educational space to allowed young people to engage in political analysis,
self-reflection, and strategic organizing. We conclude with the implications for Ethnic Studies, urban education, and counternarrative.
of students who created their own form of liberatory education. Our analysis highlights how student organizers led the creation of an autonomous, community-based educational space to allowed young people to engage in political analysis,
self-reflection, and strategic organizing. We conclude with the implications for Ethnic Studies, urban education, and counternarrative.