Cultural profiles among Mexican-origin girls: Associations with psychosocial adjustment.

Abstract

Much of the cultural processes research has used single-domain measures of and approaches to cultural orientation, acculturation, and ethnic identity. The current study examined the latent cultural profiles that emerged from the intrapersonal (i.e., ethnic identity and generational status), interpersonal (i.e., language use), and familial (i.e., familial ethnic socialization) domains among 338 Mexican-origin girls in 7th (n ϭ 170; M age ϭ 12.27, SD ϭ .28; 63.6% U.S.-born) and 10th grades (n ϭ 168; M age ϭ 15.21, SD ϭ .46; 60.6% U.S.-born). Further, we examined how these profiles were associated with self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and discrimination. Four cultural profiles emerged from a latent profile analysis (i.e., strong-positive, strong-negative, Spanishdominant low, and English-dominant low). Results indicated that the strong-positive profile (i.e., high on ethnic identity and familial ethnic socialization, bilingual, second generation) was most adaptive, in that this group had the highest self-esteem. Profiles did not differ in perceived discrimination or depressive symptoms. Results highlight the multifaceted nature of cultural profiles and suggest that affiliation with heritage culture across intrapersonal, interpersonal, and familial domains is beneficial for the psychosocial adjustment of Mexican-origin girls. Implications of the use of a multidomain conceptualization of cultural processes in research and positive youth adjustment programs are discussed.

Ethnic–Racial Socialization Practices Among Latino Immigrant Families: A Latent Profile Analysis

“…Latinx immigrant parents in the sample used all six ERS strategies. These results illustrate the utility of using measures that capture multiple ERS strategies, including immigration‐related strategies, rather than, as in previous studies (e.g., Gonzales‐Backen et al, ; McGill et al, ), focusing on only one or two. That said, although the parents in the sample used all the strategies, they did so to varying degrees, both among themselves and across strategies.…”

“…Prior work with African American parents has identified the existence of a profile that is characterized exclusively by negative socialization messages, such a promotion of mistrust (Neblett et al, ). Although one of the two prior studies on parents' profiles among Latinx samples did identify a low use of ERS in the profiles (Gonzales‐Backen et al, ), ERS were only examined in terms of cultural socialization; ERS that promote limiting social interactions or not trusting others were not examined. In the present sample of Latinx immigrant parents, this type of profile was not present.…”

“…One study examined the confluence of interpersonal (i.e., use of Spanish and English languages), intrapersonal (i.e., ethnic identity and generation status), and familial (cultural socialization) domains of cultural experiences among Latina adolescents; this latent profile analysis revealed four cultural profiles (Gonzales-Backen, Bámaca-Colbert, Noah, & Rivera, 2017). By integrating a measure of cultural socialization, the study advanced cultural research from a focus on the self to a focus on the self within the family (Gonzelez-Backen, Bámaca-Colbert, Noah, & Rivera, 2017). The two profiles with the strongest intrapersonal and interpersonal domains tended to affirm the familial domain as well.…”

“…Some researchers have taken the approach of identifying patterns of ERS strategies and examining the effects and strength of a combination of ERS strategies, but only two of these studies have used Latinx samples. One study examined the confluence of interpersonal (i.e., use of Spanish and English languages), intrapersonal (i.e., ethnic identity and generation status), and familial (cultural socialization) domains of cultural experiences among Latina adolescents; this latent profile analysis revealed four cultural profiles (Gonzales‐Backen, Bámaca‐Colbert, Noah, & Rivera, ). By integrating a measure of cultural socialization, the study advanced cultural research from a focus on the self to a focus on the self within the family (Gonzelez‐Backen, Bámaca‐Colbert, Noah, & Rivera, 2017).…”

Ethnic–Racial Socialization in the Family: A Decade's Advance on Precursors and Outcomes

“…In contrast to the state of the literature in 2006 as outlined by D. Hughes et al (), a review of the literature in the 2010 decade revealed a significant empirical base from which to conclude that a robust and positive association exists between cultural socialization and multiple indicators of positive youth development (see Table ). Findings for this dimension of ethnic–racial socialization overwhelmingly supported cultural socialization as a promotive factor via its positive associations with many indicators of youths' adjustment such as ethnic–racial identity (e.g., Brittian, Umaña‐Taylor, & Derlan, ; Hernández, Conger, Robins, Bacher, & Widaman, ), self‐esteem (e.g., Gonzales‐Backen, Bámaca‐Colbert, Noah, & Rivera, ), academic adjustment (e.g., Banerjee, Harrell, & Johnson, ; Bravo, Umaña‐Taylor, Guimond, Updegraff, & Jahromi, ; Rivas‐Drake & Marchand, ), adaptive coping (e.g., Blackmon, Coyle, Davenport, Owens, & Sparrow, ; McDermott, Umaña‐Taylor, & Martinez‐Fuentes, ), and psychological well‐being (e.g., Nguyen, Wong, Juang, & Park, ). Furthermore, only two of the 236 articles found negative associations and five reported mixed findings, supporting the observations made by D. Hughes et al () that this domain of ethnic–racial socialization was consistently associated with positive outcomes.…”