Family Science
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2239
Formerly known as the Department of Family Studies.
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Item Evaluating immigrant-specific adverse childhood experiences as a social determinant of health among Latino immigrant families(2022) Conway, C. Andrew; Lew, Amy; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Research consistently demonstrates the critical role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), traditionally defined as exposure to abuse, neglect, and household risk factors, in shaping overall health and well-being throughout life and even across generations. However, our current conceptualization and measurement of ACEs are based on items initially examined in a primarily white, middle-class, highly educated sample. This strategy may provide a limited understanding of childhood adversity within marginalized groups. This study aimed to examine the relationship between ACEs (both traditionally studied ACEs and immigrant-specific ACEs) and the psychological well-being of Latino immigrant adolescents. The relationship between parental experiences of ACEs, child ACEs, and child psychological well-being was also explored. Data comes from a community sample of 338 Latino immigrant adolescents. These youth completed an 11-item measure of traditional ACEs (ACE-T), a novel 13-item measure of immigrant-specific ACEs (ACE-I), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and health risk behavior items as part of the intake process for a positive youth development program. Data on parent ACEs was available for a subsample (n¬ = 112). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship between the ACEs measures and the psychological and health risk outcomes. Immigrant youth, on average, reported more adversities on the ACE-I measure than the ACE-T measure (3.6 vs. 1.6). Both ACE-T and ACE-I scores were positively related to increased emotional issues (standardized coefficients were .24 and .25, respectively). Only ACE-T scores were related to increased conduct problems and peer relationship problems. There was no relationship between adolescents' ACE-T or ACE-I scores with prosocial or health risk behaviors. The parent's ACE-T scores were positively related to the child's ACE-T scores (b = .18). These findings suggest that essential early adverse experiences for immigrants, which have not been considered, impact adolescents' psychological well-being. Broadening our conceptualization and measurement of ACEs among immigrant populations could provide valuable insight into social determinants of health and avenues for intervention for immigrant adolescents and families.Item The Influence of Pre-Migration Factors and Post-Migration Climate of the Receiving Community on the Psychological Distress of Latino Immigrants(2016) Kahn, Sherylls Valladares; Leslie, Leigh A.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Over forty million foreign-born residents currently live in the United States. Latinos make up the largest population of immigrants living in the U.S. Previous research suggests that Latino immigrants often experience pre-migration stressors, such as traumatic experiences, political upheaval, and unplanned migration. These stressors may have a negative impact on immigrants’ post-migration mental health. Research also suggests that the post-migration climate of the receiving community may inform the connection between pre-migration experiences and post-migration mental health. The current study examined the relationship between Latino immigrants’ reasons for migration, migration planning, and pre-migration experience of political and/or interpersonal violence, and post-migration symptoms of psychological distress. In addition to examining the effect of these pre-migration factors, the current study also examined the community “climate” experienced by Latino immigrants post-migration by assessing the influence of three post-migration factors: 1) community support and engagement, 2) discrimination, and 3) employment. The study was a secondary analysis of data collected for the National Latino and Asian American Study, which focused on the mental health and service utilization of Latinos and Asian Americans. Participants included 1,629 Latino immigrants from across the United States. Results indicated that pre-migration experience of political and/or interpersonal trauma, post-migration experience of discrimination, and female sex were positively associated with psychological distress. Post-migration employment was negatively associated with psychological distress. In addition, discrimination modified the association between unplanned migration and psychological distress; the relationship between unplanned migration and psychological distress decreased for participants who reported more discrimination. Furthermore, employment modified the association between political and/or interpersonal trauma and psychological distress; the connection between trauma and psychological distress increased among those who reported having less employment. Recommendations for further research were presented. Policy and clinical practice implications were discussed, particularly given the current climate of high anti-immigrant sentiment and hostility in the U.S.