A Comparison of Family Environment Characteristics Among White (Non‐Hispanic), Hispanic, and African Caribbean Groups

Abstract

To investigate differences in the family environments of different cultural groups, the Family Environment Scale and a clinical interview were administered to 153 college students from White (non‐Hispanic), Hispanic, and African Caribbean backgrounds. A multivariate analysis of covariance and post hoc comparisons revealed significant differences between the groups on the Expressiveness, Independence, and Moral‐Religious Emphasis subscales. Para investigar las distinciones en los ambientes familiares entre grupos culturales diferentes, la Escala del Ambiente Familiar (FES) y una entrevista clínica fueron administradas a 153 estudiantes colegiales Blancos (no‐Hispanos), Hispanos, y Africano‐Caribeños. Un análisis de la covariancia multivariado y comparaciones post hoes revelarón diferencias significativas entre los grupos en Expresividad, Independencia, y Enfasis Moral‐Religioso.

Sources and timing of sex education: relations with American adolescent sexual attitudes and behavior

“…As a whole, this group tends to practice religious and sexual conservatism through families and churches (e.g. McEachern & Kenny, 2002;Romo et al, 2002). Thus, adolescents may not be obtaining information needed to help them understand their own biological, cognitive and emotional changes, particularly those associated with sexual development.…”

Parent-Reported Family Functioning among Children with Cleft Lip/Palate

“…Specifically, we were interested in exploring whether there were differences related to the presence of treatment needs and specific secondary surgery recommendations (functional versus aesthetic). We also aimed to determine whether there were differences in family functioning related to race and ethnicity, since these variables are known to be associated with differences in family functioning (Moos and Moos, 2002; McEachern and Kenny, 2002; Clay et al, 2007). Finally, we examined differences related to payer type (private versus public insurance) given that families with fewer financial resources may be differentially affected by the cleft diagnosis and its multiple associated treatments and surgeries (Abbott et al, 2011; Broder et al, 2012).…”

“…In addition, race and ethnicity are associated with family functioning; greater levels of cohesion and expressiveness have been reported among ethnic minority families (McEachern and Kenny, 2002; Moos and Moos, 2002; Clay et al, 2007). For example, greater levels of cohesion have been associated with lower levels of psychological distress among U.S. Latinos (Rivera et al, 2008).…”

“…Potential differences in family functioning among youth of varying racial or ethnic backgrounds may have important implications for understanding how families adjust to their child’s condition and cope over time. For example, greater cohesion and expressiveness, which have been associated with more positive adjustment among youth with chronic conditions (Holmes et al, 1999; Jobe-Shields et al, 2009) and among ethnic minority families (McEachern and Kenny, 2002) may serve as protective factors and contribute to positive adjustment. Alternately, higher levels of family conflict may be more prevalent among certain racial/ethnic groups and may constitute a risk factor for problematic adjustment or coping.…”

Risk and Protective Factors, Perceptions of Family Environment, Ethnicity, and Schizophrenia Symptoms

“…For example, “Family members really help and support one another.” The FES is an easy to administer and score self-report measure that obtains family members’ perceptions of their family environment. Furthermore, the psychometric properties of the FES have been demonstrated in English, Spanish, and Chinese and across ethnicities including Chinese, H/L, and African-Americans (McEachern and Kenny, 2002; Phillips et al, 1998; Weisman and López, 1996). A total score on the FES Cohesion subscale was calculated by summing the participants’ scores on each T/F item.…”