TY - JOUR
T1 - Interpersonal mediators linking acculturation stressors to subsequent internalizing symptoms and self-esteem in Latino adolescents
AU - Smokowski, Paul Richard
AU - Bacallao, Martica
AU - Buchanan, Rachel Lee
PY - 2009/11
Y1 - 2009/11
N2 - The specific aim of this study was to examine pathways leading to internalizing symptoms and self-esteem in Latino adolescents. Adolescent feelings of interpersonal humiliation, family conflict and commitment, and friendships with peers were investigated as potential mediators linking acculturation stress to subsequent adolescent self-esteem and internalizing symptoms. Path analyses on data from a sample of 288 Latino adolescents (average age 15 years; 66% foreign-born) showed that acculturation conflicts and perceived discrimination were risk factors for both internalizing problems at baseline and parent-adolescent conflict 6 months later. Baseline internalizing problems, and Time 2 variables (humiliation, parent-adolescent conflict, negative peer relationships, and changes in familism) mediated the effects of acculturation stress on Time 3 (T3) internalizing symptoms and self-esteem. Latino cultural involvement was a key cultural asset, impacting T3 internalizing. symptoms and self-esteem by decreasing feelings of humiliation and by promoting familism. Familism was also a critical cultural asset associated with lower parent-adolescent conflict and higher self-esteem. Study limitations and implications for practice with Latino families were discussed.
AB - The specific aim of this study was to examine pathways leading to internalizing symptoms and self-esteem in Latino adolescents. Adolescent feelings of interpersonal humiliation, family conflict and commitment, and friendships with peers were investigated as potential mediators linking acculturation stress to subsequent adolescent self-esteem and internalizing symptoms. Path analyses on data from a sample of 288 Latino adolescents (average age 15 years; 66% foreign-born) showed that acculturation conflicts and perceived discrimination were risk factors for both internalizing problems at baseline and parent-adolescent conflict 6 months later. Baseline internalizing problems, and Time 2 variables (humiliation, parent-adolescent conflict, negative peer relationships, and changes in familism) mediated the effects of acculturation stress on Time 3 (T3) internalizing symptoms and self-esteem. Latino cultural involvement was a key cultural asset, impacting T3 internalizing. symptoms and self-esteem by decreasing feelings of humiliation and by promoting familism. Familism was also a critical cultural asset associated with lower parent-adolescent conflict and higher self-esteem. Study limitations and implications for practice with Latino families were discussed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=76749091590&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=76749091590&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/jcop.20346
DO - 10.1002/jcop.20346
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:76749091590
SN - 0090-4392
VL - 37
SP - 1024
EP - 1045
JO - Journal of Community Psychology
JF - Journal of Community Psychology
IS - 8
ER -