Family Influences on Mexican American Adolescents’ Romantic Relationships: Moderation by Gender and Culture

Abstract

This study examined prospective associations between the family context and adolescents’ romantic relationships as moderated by adolescents’ gender and culture among Mexican American families (N = 189). Adolescents at Time 1 (early adolescence) were on average 12.29 years of age (SD = .50) and 54% female. Mothers and fathers reported on family structure and dynamics during early adolescence, and youth reported on their romantic relationship involvement and quality during middle and late adolescence. Results from path analyses indicated that family structure and dynamics (supportive parenting, consistent discipline, parent-adolescent, and interparental conflict) were associated with adolescents’ romantic involvement and quality, with differences by adolescents’ gender and culture. Findings highlight Mexican American family contexts that contribute uniquely to adolescents’ romantic relationships.

Exploring Mexican American adolescent romantic relationship profiles and adjustment

“…Notably, those with lower quality relationships were more likely to be male. This pattern is aligned with research which has found that adolescent boys reported lower levels of intimacy (Tyrell et al, 2014), lower levels of romantic partner social support (Seiffge-Krenke, 2003), higher negative relationship qualities (e.g., conflict; La Greca & Harrison, 2005), and higher traditional gender role values (Lorenzo-Blanco, Unger, Baezconde-Garbanai, Ritt-Olson, & Soto, 2012) than adolescent girls. Overall, the differences in relationship characteristics, cultural values, and gender among the three profiles provided evidence of important within-group variations in Mexican American adolescents’ romantic relationships.…”

Risky sexual behavior of foreign and native-born women in emerging adulthood: The long reach of mother-daughter relationships in adolescence

“…By demonstrating that the seemingly protective effects of adolescent relationships persist even after taking into account a wide range of family characteristics and women’s current relationship status, we add to a growing body of literature that demonstrates the importance of the parent-adolescent relationship and mother-daughter relationships in particular (Deptula et al, 2010; Henrich et al, 2006; Kao et al, 2014; Kao & Manczak, 2013; Tyrell et al, 2014). Early interventions could strengthen mother-daughter relationships, and thus, decrease participation in risky sexual situations (Booth et al, 2012; Jaccard, 2013).…”

“…However, effects of parent-adolescent relationship quality can vary based nativity and cultural context (Peterson & Bush, 2013). Immigrant women’s family environment early in life may provide less preparation for the U.S. dating culture than the family environment of native-born women (Tyrell et al, 2014). …”

A Developmental Perspective on Young Adult Romantic Relationships: Examining Family and Individual Factors in Adolescence

“…Adolescents who live in families with a more positive climate are thought to develop a more positive interpersonal style which carries over into later romantic relationships (Ackerman et al 2013; Whitton et al 2008). On the other hand, family conflict is a risk factor for poorer relationship outcomes, such as less skillful conflict resolution strategies and low involvement in later romantic relationships (Darling et al 2008; Tyrell et al 2016). Building on this work, we examined the role of family climate in predicting specific aspects of young adult romantic relationship competence and violence.…”

“…Parents who use effective practices help promote adolescents’ appropriate and positive interactions with others. For example, adolescents who receive consistent discipline and inductive reasoning are more likely to engage in more positive interactive behaviors with their parents, which is thought to generalize to relationships with their romantic partners and ultimately result in more positive romantic relationships (Donnellan et al 2005; Tyrell et al 2016). Similarly, adolescents who benefit from more parental acceptance at home are more likely to engage in positive reciprocal interactions with others (Auslander et al 2009).…”