Citation

Santisteban DA, Coatsworth JD, Briones E, Kurtines W, Szapocznik J. Fam. Process 2012; 51(4): 470-482.

Affiliation

Center of Excellence in Health Disparities Research, School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami , Miami, FL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Family Process Institute, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1545-5300.2012.01414.x

PMID

23230979

Abstract

In the adolescent research literature, acculturation processes have been linked to the development of serious behavior problems in Hispanic adolescents, but not enough is known about how that process takes place. This article reports an investigation that sought to shed light on empirically plausible mechanisms by which family processes (i.e., familism and parenting practices) may operate as mediators of acculturation-related factors on adolescent problem behaviors among 167 Hispanic sixth- or seventh-grade early adolescents. SEM analyses identified an empirically plausible mediated pathway through which parenting practices may operate as a mediator of the effects of acculturation-related variables on adolescent problem behaviors. Second, although the role of familism as a mediator was not supported, the results did provide support for familism having indirect effects on behavior problems also through parenting practices. The findings are discussed in the context of existing research and clinical developments in the treatment of Hispanic adolescents and families.

Language: en