Family Cohesion and Its Relationship to Psychological Distress Among Latino Groups

Abstract

This paper presents analyses of a representative sample of US Latinos (N=2540) to investigate whether family cohesion moderates the effects of cultural conflict on psychological distress. The results for the aggregated Latino group suggests a significant association between family cohesion and lower psychological distress and the combination of strong family cohesion with presence of family cultural conflict was associated with higher psychological distress. However, this association differed by Latino groups. We found no association for Puerto Ricans, Cuban results were similar to the aggregate group, family cultural conflict in Mexicans was associated with higher psychological distress, while family cohesion in Other Latinos was associated with higher psychological distress. Implications of these findings are discussed to unravel the differences in family dynamics across Latino subethnic groups.

Family conflict among Chinese- and Mexican-origin adolescents and their parents in the U.S.: An introduction

“…In these studies, the emphasis has been on normative confl ict over "minor" everyday issues (Laursen et al, 1998;Smetana, 1988). In contrast, studies of parent-adolescent confl ict involving immigrant families of Asian and Latino heritage have primarily focused on disruptive confl ict over more "serious" issues concerning core cultural values, namely, acculturation-based confl ict (Portes & Rumbaut, 1996, 2001Rivera et al, 2008). Less is known about whether acculturationbased confl ict is normative and whether it is a healthy part of youth development.…”

Duration of U.S. stay and body mass index among Latino and Asian immigrants: A test of theoretical pathways

“…Indeed, studies using the NLAAS data have found mental health benefits of family cohesion (Rivera et al, 2008). On the other hand, family cohesion may hinder healthy behaviors, for instance, through individuals prioritizing other family members' needs over their own well-being (Perez & Cruess, 2014).…”

A Longitudinal Analysis of Hispanic Youth Acculturation and Cigarette Smoking: The Roles of Gender, Culture, Family, and Discrimination

“…Hispanic cultural values are thought to protect against external stress, to discourage family conflict, and to promote a strong orientation toward the family (Gonzales, Deardorff, Formoso, Barr, & Barrera, 2006;Rivera et al, 2008). With acculturation, youth may disengage from, or not learn about, these protective cultural values, thereby increasing their smoking risk (Gil, Wagner, & Vega, 2000).…”