Positive parenting, family cohesion, and child social competence among immigrant Latino families.

Abstract

The relation between positive parenting, family cohesion, and child social competence was examined among Latino families (predominantly from Mexico) who were recent immigrants to the United States. A mixed method study was conducted, including both pre- and post-test self-reported surveys (9-month interval) and qualitative data from focus groups. A total of 282 parents and 282 children (ages 9-12) participated in the survey study. Results at post-test follow-up indicated that family cohesion predicted improvements in child social problem-solving skills and social self-efficacy, and positive parenting predicted improvements in child social self-efficacy. A total of 12 mothers participated in the focus group study that was designed to explore barriers to positive parenting and family cohesion in this population. Results from focus groups revealed four major themes impacting parenting and family cohesion: (a) acculturation differences between parents and children and the resulting power imbalance; (b) difficulty getting involved in their child's education; (c) loss of extended family; and (d) discrimination against immigrants and legal status. The implications for family support programs for immigrant Latino families and their children are discussed.

Mental Health and Health Risk Behaviors of Multicultural Adolescents according to Their Mothers’ Native Country: Using Data from the 11th (2015) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey 2015

“…Firstly, migration to a new country and culture often challenges familial roles and responsibilities and may also cause changes in family organisation and functioning [35][36][37]. Leidy et al [12] for instance note that one of the challenges to positive parenting is a lack of extended family members who previously helped with raising children. Changes in family organisation and functioning may in turn lead to stress which, during pregnancy, can expose the foetus to elevated levels of stress hormones and possibly influence the development of stress systems [38].…”

“…A few studies have focused on how family factors contribute to the presence of problem behaviour in ethnic minority children [11][12][13]. Weiss et al [11] demonstrated that the family's reliability on internal coping strategies was a risk factor for problem behaviour in Latino children residing in the US.…”

Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors of Muslim Immigrants in the United States: Overcoming Social Stigma and Cultural Mistrust

“…There is ongoing debate about the role of adolescents in immigrant families and the impact that role has on adolescent development (Leidy, Guerra & Toro, 2010;Trickett & Jones, 2007). Adolescent children of immigrants often find themselves in positions where they take on nontraditional roles in the family that can result in a shift in the power between the parent and the child.…”

“…Positive parenting and family cohesion ultimately lead to positive adolescent development (Ali, Liu, & Humedian, 2004;Leidy, Guerra, & Toro, 2010). Having services that target the needs of parents is integral in building a healthy family system (Trickett & Jones, 2007).…”

Development of emotional autonomy from adolescence to young adulthood in Spain

“…Cumsille & Epstein, 1994;Wentzel & Feldman, 1996). Family cohesion leads to improvements in adolescent social problem-solving skills and social self-efficacy (Leidy, Guerra, & Toro, 2010), while low levels of family cohesion result in an earlier onset of romantic and sexual experience (De Graaf, van de Schoot, Woertman, Hawk, & Meeus, 2012). Family cohesion is also related to young adults' well-being (Crespo et al;Fosco et al, 2012) and lower levels of stress and depression (Fosco et al, 2012;Johnson, Gans, Kerr, & Deegan, 2008;Reinherz, Paradis, Giaconia, Stashwick, & Fitzmaurice, 2003) during early adulthood.…”