Family ethnic socialization predicts better academic outcomes via proactive coping with discrimination and increased self-efficacy

As the U.S. Latino youth population grows, understanding how family and individual resources may promote Latino adolescents’ academic outcomes is important. The current investigation examined whether family ethnic socialization predicted adolescents’ use of proactive strategies for coping with ethnic-racial discrimination and examined a potential pathway through which these contextual and individual resources may relate to educational outcomes. Drawing on data from a sample of Latino adolescents (n = 321; Mage = 15.31 years, SD =.76; 49.5% female), results of a cross-sectional structural equation model showed a double mediation of the relation between family ethnic socialization and GPA by proactive coping strategies and self-efficacy. Alternate models, limitations of the current investigation, and implications for future research are discussed.