Acculturation, Communication Competence, and Family Functioning in Mexican–American Mother–Daughter Dyads

Abstract

Little is known of how intergenerational acculturation discrepancy relates to communication skills differences that may influence relationship quality among parents and adult children. Mexican–American mother–daughter dyads (n = 59) were studied using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model to examine dyadic associations of acculturation and communication competence with family functioning and mediation analysis to determine the indirect effect of acculturation discrepancy on family functioning through communication competence differences. Communication competence of mothers exerted significant actor and partner effects on daughter-perceived cohesion and closeness. Higher acculturation discrepancy predicted greater communication competence difference which in turn was associated with lower cohesion and closeness. There was a significant indirect effect of acculturation discrepancy on daughter-perceived cohesion through communication competence difference. Communication competence of mothers impacts their own as well as their daughters’ perceptions of dyad cohesion and closeness. Intergenerational discrepant acculturation contributes to discordant communication skills that impair family functioning, which has implications for psychological well-being.

Improving Relational Functioning in Mother-Daughter Dyads With Obesity

“…Furthermore, wider acculturation gap between mothers and daughters led to greater differences in communication competencies, which in turn was associated with lower family functioning. 30 This is consistent with the intergener-ational acculturation discrepancy model that asserts that the difference in acculturation (acculturation gap) between parent and child is associated with lower family functioning and higher psychological distress especially in young adult daughters. [31][32][33] Acculturation represents the extent of adoption of the mainstream culture such as language, attitudes, and behaviors.…”

“…The results revealed less traditional hierarchical dynamics and more mutual influence, both positive and negative, in eating and physical activity behaviors. Furthermore, wider acculturation gap between mothers and daughters led to greater differences in communication competencies, which in turn was associated with lower family functioning 30. This is consistent with the intergenerational acculturation discrepancy model that asserts that the difference in acculturation (acculturation gap) between parent and child is associated with lower family functioning and higher psychological distress especially in young adult daughters 31–33.…”

“…Hence, mothers and daughters who received relationship skills training demonstrated greater use of collaborative problem solving and lesser use of emotional disengagement while resolving a disagreement. The intervention targeted communication competencies such as disclosure, empathy, and support as they were previously linked to emotional closeness in Mexican American mothers and daughters with obesity 30. Although research on the role of relational functioning in weight-related behaviors among Mexican American mothers and daughters in adulthood is scarce, studies have shown that adult attachment (ie, high in communication quality and feelings of trust and low in degree of alienation) between Latinx mothers and daughters serves to mutually protect against other unhealthful behaviors 44–46.…”

“…Given the high prevalence of obesity and the younger age of onset of type 2 diabetes in women with familial history of diabetes,29 we focused our research efforts through the Communication on Mothers Inspiring Healthy Actions (Con MIHA) study on understanding family functioning in Mexican American mothers and their adult daughters with obesity 30. The results revealed less traditional hierarchical dynamics and more mutual influence, both positive and negative, in eating and physical activity behaviors.…”

Identifikasi kompetensi komunikasi lulusan perguruan tinggi di era gig economy

“…Misalnya kompetensi komunikasi dalam peran dan hubungan profesional, seperti kompetensi untuk guru (Bakić-Tomić et al, 2015;Lukianets & Lukianets, 2020;Rubin & Feezel, 1986), penyedia layanan kesehatan seperti tenaga medis (Cegala et al, 1998;Salazar, 2020), pasien (Gillotti et al, 2002), organisasi dan anggotanya (Jablin & Sias, 2001;Salleh, 2008) dan mediator konflik (Chen et al, 2017;Donohue et al, 1988). Sarjana lain juga mengeksplorasi kompetensi dalam hubungan pribadi seperti persahabatan (Arroyo & Segrin, 2011;Cholappallil et al, 2021;Collier, 1996) dan keluarga (Jiao, 2020;Lindsey et al, 1997;Marquez et al, 2021;Rosenberg et al, 2006;Wang et al, 2019). Para sarjana juga melakukan eksplorasi pada kompetensi komunikasi siswa prasekolah (Dagal, 2017;Doove et al, 2021;Panova et al, 2019) hingga siswa perguruan tinggi (Borau et al, 2009;Cavanagh et al, 2015;Humanante-Ramos et al, 2019;Kim & Cho, 2017;Steiner & Posch, 2006).…”