The current study investigated associations among interpersonal, academic, financial, and ethnicity-related stressors and college students’ academic motivation and depressive symptoms, as well as the moderating role of positive sibling relationships on these associations. Participants included 171 Mexican-origin college students (80.7% female; M = 21.6 years). Data were collected using an online survey and analyzed with path analysis. Under conditions of more positive sibling relationships, there was a positive association between interpersonal stress and academic motivation, a negative association between ethnicity-related social stress and academic motivation, and a positive association between financial stress and depressive symptoms. Under conditions of less positive sibling relationships, there was a positive association between interpersonal stress and depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that sibling relationships may only be protective for certain types of stress.

We used a person-oriented approach to describe the profiles of Mexican American emerging adults' relationships with siblings using affective/behavioral qualities (e.g., positivity) and relationship maintenance strategies (e.g., communication frequency) and to examine how profiles of sibling relationships were related to dimensions of Mexican American emerging adults' familism values. Using data from 186 Mexican American emerging adults (M age = 21.56), we conducted latent profile analyses and identified three profiles of emerging adults' relationships with siblings: moderate (n = 106), positive/involved (n = 64), and negative/distant (n = 16). Our findings suggest that the majority of emerging adults in our study reported close relationships with siblings and dimensions of familism values were differentially associated with profiles of sibling relationship qualities.

Siblings are influential on one another’s romantic relationships and sexual behaviors, and examining mechanisms of this influence is important. Using a sample of 62 sister dyads, we examined the content of sisters’ messages about dating and sexuality and correlates of these messages. Sisters shared messages with one another about dating logistics, dating partners, sex, and the importance of self. Using actor–partner interdependence models, we examined how both dyad members’ romantic relationship status and sexual experiences, intentions, and attitudes were associated with sisters’ messages. We found sisters’ experiences—especially older sisters’ experiences—were associated with the content of messages. Consistent with symbolic interactionism, the findings point to the importance of examining sibling communication about dating and sexuality as an important socialization mechanism through which sisters may influence one another’s romantic relationships and sexuality development.

Findings highlight the importance of family relationships for Mexican American college students and the significance of examining these relationships within this cultural context. (PsycINFO Database Record

Objective This research examines links between Mexican‐origin young adults' cultural values and sibling caregiving behaviors during adolescence and responsibility in young adulthood. Background Responsibility is an important marker of young adulthood, and this skill may be transmitted to youth through familism values. Familism values may guide how youth engage in behaviors (e.g., sibling caregiving), which may help foster responsibility skills during young adulthood. Results Using cultural ecological framework and cultural transmission model, we examined associations among familism values, sibling caregiving, and responsibility among 219 Mexican‐origin young adults. We tested a multigroup model with path analysis based on gender and found no gender differences. Family obligation and family referent were positively associated with sibling caregiving. Family support and family referent were positively associated with responsibility. Sibling caregiving was positively associated with responsibility. We found two significant indirect effects. Familism obligation and family referent values were positively associated with sibling caregiving, which in turn was positively associated with responsibility. Conclusion Findings highlight how cultural values and sibling caregiving can be linked to responsibility during young adulthood. Implications Sibling caregiving during youth may provide opportunities to build valuable skills in young adulthood. Cultural values may inform family behaviors and in turn young adulthood responsibility.