This study investigated how experiences in the family context contribute to the postsecondary educational attainment of Mexican American youth. The sample consisted of 104 recent high school graduates. One half of the sample was attending a 2-year college, and the other one half was not enrolled in any postsecondary institution. This study examined the relationships among family (i.e., parents' and older siblings' educational experiences, family income, and parental involvement) and education variables (i.e., high school and college grade point average, college attendance, and college aspirations). Variations within the Mexican American community, in particular acculturation and generational status, were examined in relation to youths' educational experiences.

Using a telephone survey of 396 participants, the present study examined the child care practices and preferences of native- and foreign-born Latina mothers in two Southern California communities and compared them to Euro-American mothers. Results showed that native-born Latina mothers had more relatives available to provide child care, and that they relied more on relatives for their current child care arrangement than both foreign-born Latina mothers and Euro-American mothers. Euro-American mothers used child care centers more than the two groups of Latino mothers. More native-born Latina mothers indicated a successful match between their current and preferred child care arrangement. Both foreign-born Latina mothers and Euro-American mothers indicated they would prefer to increase their use of relatives. In addition, more foreign-born Latina mothers indicated they would prefer to increase their use of child care centers.

No abstract

This study examined the validity of the Klonoff and Landrine (1994) illness-belief scale when applied to Latino college students (n=156; 34% male, 66% female) at high-risk for future diabetes onset. Principal factor analysis yielded four significant factors – emotional, folk-beliefs, punitive, gene/hereditary – which accounted for 64.5% of variance and provided a culturally-relevant Latino perspective of the causes of diabetes. Additional analyses by age, gender, immigrant status and psychological acculturation revealed significant differences by age on the emotional and folk illness factors and a negative correlation between assimilation and endorsement of the emotional factor. The implication of these four illness factors for predicting health-related behaviors and health-outcomes among young Latinos was discussed as were recommendations for future research.

This study examined within-group differences in obesity-related dietary behaviors and the health status of 156 Latino students at-risk for diabetes due to family history. Approximately 58% of students were overweight/obese, with female students reporting a greater risk for diabetes. Consumption of meats, fried potatoes, breads, and tortillas was associated with higher BMI and diabetes risk indices. Differences in dietary behaviors were found based on students’ college profile and sociodemographic characteristics. Implications for university-related intervention health initiatives are discussed.