Maternal familismo and early childhood functioning in Mexican and Dominican immigrant families.

Abstract

A large theoretical and empirical literature documents the central role of familismo (i.e., a strong emphasis on family) in the functioning of Latino youth. Few studies, however, have examined its association with early childhood functioning. The present study explored the potential risk and protective effects of maternal familismo on the adaptive and mental health functioning of 4 - 5 year old Latino children. A sample of 205 Mexican and 147 Dominican immigrant families was recruited from New York City. Mothers reported on their level of familismo, and acculturative status. Mothers and teachers rated child adaptive behavior and internalizing and externalizing problems. Findings suggest that maternal familismo is not uniformly associated with positive or negative early developmental outcomes but that its effects are moderated by child gender, family poverty and cultural (e.g., maternal ethnic and US American identity) characteristics. In addition, different mechanisms were identified for each ethnic group. Familismo was associated both positively (for boys) and negatively (for poor children) with adaptive behavior in the Mexican American sample. In the Dominican American sample, familismo showed a wide range of positive, albeit moderated, effects. Prevention efforts that help parents critically evaluate the impact of familismo on family processes, and preserve those manifestations of familismo that are protective, may best promote Latino child well-being.

Prevention and Intervention Research With Latino Families: A Translational Approach

“…For example, among a host of differences, Latinos vary on immigration patterns (Knight, Roosa, & Umaña-Taylor, 2009), composition and structure of the home (Updegraff & Umaña-Taylor, 2015), socio-economic status (Lopez, Gonzalez-Barrera, & Cuddington, 2013), nativity status (Lopez et al, 2013), the protective effects of cultural value endorsement (Calzada, Huang, Linares-Torres, Singh, & Brotman, 2014), experiences of discrimination (P erez, Fortuna, & Alegr ıa, 2008), and epidemiological risk for mental health and substance use problems (Alegr ıa et al, 2007). We acknowledge that specifying processes for Latinos from different countries of origin is important as there is significant variability across the Latino populations in the United States.…”

“…We acknowledge that specifying processes for Latinos from different countries of origin is important as there is significant variability across the Latino populations in the United States. For example, among a host of differences, Latinos vary on immigration patterns (Knight, Roosa, & Umaña-Taylor, 2009), composition and structure of the home (Updegraff & Umaña-Taylor, 2015), socio-economic status (Lopez, Gonzalez-Barrera, & Cuddington, 2013), nativity status (Lopez et al, 2013), the protective effects of cultural value endorsement (Calzada, Huang, Linares-Torres, Singh, & Brotman, 2014), experiences of discrimination (P erez, Fortuna, & Alegr ıa, 2008), and epidemiological risk for mental health and substance use problems (Alegr ıa et al, 2007). To best understand how culturally relevant processes are implicated in prevention and intervention research, we argue that many of these factors (i.e., acculturation, cultural value endorsement) need to be empirically examined as potential moderators or mediators of treatment.…”

Attachment, Acculturative Stress, Social Supports, Separation and Marital Distress in Mexican and Central American Adult Immigrants Separated from Primary Caregivers as Children

“…The Mexican culture values familismo (familism). Familismo refers to mutual obligation and support among family members (Calzada, Huang, Linares-Torres, Singh, & Brotman, 2014). Familismo is said to be a core Latina/o value (Pina-Watson, Ojeda, Castellon, & Dornheckler, 2013).…”

“…Familismo is said to be a core Latina/o value (Pina-Watson, Ojeda, Castellon, & Dornheckler, 2013). Calzada et al (2014) argued that familismo has four tenets: (a) family comes first before the individual (b) interconnectedness among family members (c) family reciprocity, and (d) honor within the family. Familismo has also been shown to impact child development across several domains of wellbeing (Calzada et al, 2014), as Mexican and other Latina/o families value familismo and rely on the family unit for instrumental and family support.…”

“…According to Calzada et al (2014), Latina/o children raised in a familistic environment may be more likely to have empathy and sensitivity to others' needs. Also, research has shown that familismo serves as a protective resource for Latina/o youth (Pina-Watson et al, 2014) as it has been shown to decrease internalizing symptoms and increase self-esteem and wellbeing.…”