College students are at an increased risk for suicide. The federal government has gone to great lengths to try to implement suicide prevention programs, but few studies have been done to design, implement and assess the effectiveness of the programs. Latinas are at an especially high risk for suicide, and research suggests that interpersonal conflict is a potential risk factor for Latinas' suicidal behavior. Thwarted belongingness, as stated in Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, may be a possible explanation for the higher rates due to the importance placed on interpersonal relationships based on Latino cultural values. Bicultural identity has been linked to better psychological adjustment and possibly well-being, so it will be assessed as well. The proposed study will have Latina college students (N=783) participate in group sessions that allow for the processing of interpersonal problems and learning communication skills to resolve conflicts. They will be asked to fill out measures of belonging, bicultural identity and general well-being. Measures of general well-being will be used as a proxy for suicidal behavior. It is predicted that participant scores of belonging and their well-being will increase following participation. Scores of belonging and well-being are expected to have an inverse linear relationship. Participants’ scores of bicultural identity and belonging will be strong significant predictors of participants’ score of bicultural identity and belonging will predict increases in participants' well-being. Limitations and future research are also discussed.

The problem addressed in this phenomenological study is how culture and acculturation can potentially influence gestational weight during pregnancy, leading to overweight and obesity among immigrant Latinas. To understand the possible influence of culture and acculturation on the diet, exercise, and weight of pregnant immigrant Latinas, the experiences of immigrant Latinas who had undergone a pregnancy in Mexico and were pregnant in California were examined. The ecological model theory was applied as a framework for exploring the participants' experiences regarding nutrition, physical activity, and weight gain. Semistructured interviews with 10 qualified participants were conducted. Data analysis entailed an inductive approach based on the following phases of qualitative data analysis: data reduction, data display, and conclusion and verification. Clustered responses were presented around the major themes. Six major themes were derived from the data. These were: (a) bicultural lifestyles; (b) personal adjustments relating to pregnancy and prenatal care; (c) low levels of social and relational support; (d) adjustments regarding diet, nutrition, food security, and access; (e) changes in the form and extent of physical activity in the United States; and (f) rapid weight gain experienced during pregnancies undergone in the United States. Social change implications include encouraging public health professionals, health educators, and community health workers to focus on the importance of culture and acculturation on the health of Latinas in order to ensure positive infant and maternal health outcomes.

In immigration and sexuality research there is new and emerging literature that understands the convergence of these two topics. However, scholarship primarily examining Latina lesbian immigrants is not as visible. This thesis examines the lives of Latina lesbian immigrants residing in Texas and California to understand greater meanings of immigration, sexuality and citizenship. Ten Latina lesbian immigrants participated in in-depth interviews, answering questions about growing up, sexuality, migration, citizenship and meanings of home. The research questions asked the following: What affect does immigration have on the sexualities and sex lives of Latina lesbian immigrants? How does their age of migration impact their sexualities? How do these women define and conceptualize citizenship? How do immigration and sexuality converge in the lives and on the bodies of Latina lesbian immigrants? The interviews revealed that the age in which the women migrated and their resettlement in urban areas contribute to their conceptualizations of a “sexually open” United States and a not-as-queer-friendly home country. Second, the women interviewed categorize citizenship in local and global ways. While some saw citizenship as part of every day practice, others found it to be connected with a sense of global community. Migration also developed a consciousness surrounding citizenship, as many of them were confronted with the concept upon migrating to the United States. Finally, immigration and sexuality unfolds in my participant’s lives in contradictory and non-linear ways. While many of the women felt a connection to their local gay and lesbian communities in positive ways, their lives are met with adversities in other ways that are affected by their immigrant status – including inability to obtain a driver’s license and obligations to become United State’s citizens. The women also conceptualize home in fluid and unfixed ways. Home and the body collapse when discussing migration, citizenship and nation. The research presented attempts to offer a conversation about the historical and current relationship between immigrants and LGBT people. It is also my objective to further conversations about multiple levels of oppression and how Latina lesbian immigrant women use their circumstances to gain a better awareness of themselves, and hopefully improve their rights and living conditions as human beings. / text

The role of culture as a phenomenon guided this qualitative study, which examined the influence of diverse Hispanic cultures on the attitudes and perceptions towards college writing courses of female Hispanic students who are non-native speakers of English. With the increasing number of Hispanic immigrants coming to the U.S., the minority student population at our nation's colleges and universities has also risen. Community colleges have become the means through which many of these Hispanic immigrants obtain a college education. The eight women who participated in this study self-identified as Hispanic. All were first generation college students who had been born outside of the United States. Three were born in Puerto Rico, two were born in Cuba, and the remaining three came from Uruguay, Colombia, and Mexico, respectively. The eight participants were students at a Florida community college, and all had already completed at least one college writing course. The data were collected through the use of individual interviews (Patton, 1987) and responses to journal prompts (Owens, 2007). The journal prompts and interview questions were designed to elicit the participants' descriptions of their experiences in their college writing courses and their attitudes towards their college writing coursework. These eight women provided insight into how their culture as Hispanic females affects their learning experiences in college writing courses. This study was based on three exploratory questions: * What are the cultural influences that shape the experiences of female Hispanic ESL learners in college writing courses? * How do these cultural influences affect student learning, specifically those skills involving thinking, conducting research, and using correct grammar, format, and citation? * Have these cultural influences produced a learning experience that is transformative? If so, how? The data were analyzed using qualitative analysis software. The findings were triangulated through this analysis of the responses, by having the participants check the transcripts for accuracy, and through the use of a researcher reflective journal (Creswell, 1998). Five emergent themes were extracted from the data: 1. The frustrations and struggles ESL students experience in their college writing courses; 2. The desire to succeed in school and in their prospective careers; 3. The influence of teachers on their academic experiences; 4. The importance family for emotional support; and 5. The necessity of cultural assimilation without compromising one's own cultural identity. From these themes, descriptive statements (Creswell, 2007) were developed that suggest answers to the exploratory questions. These descriptive statements are: * Female Hispanic ESL learners are influenced by several elements of their culture, specifically in their relationships with their families and their instructors. * Female Hispanic ESL learners consider English language acquisition an integral element of cultural assimilation. * Female Hispanic ESL learners see the transformative aspect of their English writing courses as requiring them to change on both a personal and a societal level. These descriptive statements formed the basis for a discussion of implications in both teaching and curriculum development, and recommendations for future research. These recommendations include promoting awareness of the cultural and institutional barriers that are the result of a lack of personal connections between students and teachers, such as the limited availability of tutors and other learning center staff; the limited availability of instructors whose native language is the same as that of the ESL student; family and child care responsibilities; problems related to full- or part-time employment; transportation issues; and the lack of college writing courses designed specifically for non-native speakers.

While there is much research around Latinos in higher education little is written on the experiences of Latinas alone. This thesis looks to fill that gap by analyzing the experiences of Latinas at a selective predominantly White liberal arts women’s college. This study is conducted through the personal analysis of the author’s experiences and looks to shed light on how institutions of higher education can create a better campus climate for Latinas.

abstract: The vigorous efforts of advocates to help victims of domestic violence have resulted in the criminalization of domestic violence in the United States and in various countries around the world. However, research studies indicate mixed success in the protection of victims through the use of the legal system. This study examines the experiences of 16 victims/survivors and their perspectives on the criminal justice system's (CJS) response to domestic violence through in-depth interviews throughout the state of Arizona. This comparative study analyzes the experiences of U.S. born non-Latinas, U.S. (mainland and island) born Latinas and foreign born (documented and undocumented) Latinas who are victims/survivors of domestic violence. The empirical cases reveal that at the root of the contradictory success of the criminal justice system are a legal culture of rationalization and a lack of recognition of the intersection of systems of power and oppression such as gender, class, race/ethnicity, and of essence to this study, legal status. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Justice Studies 2011

abstract: Previous research indicates that survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are at a greater risk of developing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. IPV survivors often use maladaptive coping strategies in response to IPV that place them at a higher risk for PTSD. Cultural gender roles/beliefs have been known to influence coping methods. Marianismo, a Latino/a gender role belief, has not been investigated in relation to IPV, coping strategies, and PTSD among Latinas. This study examined whether physical, psychological, or sexual abuse by a romantic partner, coping strategies, and Marianismo were associated with PTSD symptomatology among 157 college-aged Latinas. The participants completed an on-line survey that assessed IPV frequency, disengaged and engaged coping, Marianismo, and PTSD symptomatology. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that, regardless of IPV type, more IPV and disengaged coping strategies were the best predictors of PTSD symptomatology. Marianismo did not significantly moderate the relation between coping and PTSD. However, the strong zero-order correlation between disengaged coping and Marianismo indicated they were highly correlated variables. The study findings are consistent with previous research that suggested that coping strategies are culturally dependent on beliefs and gender role expectations. Latinas may use more disengaged coping strategies because these methods may be deemed more culturally appropriate and reflect Marianismo beliefs. Psychologists working with Latina IPV survivors need to develop culturally sensitive approaches to psychoeducation on IPV and coping strategies that empower these women within their cultural belief systems and reduce their PTSD symptomatology. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Counseling Psychology 2017

abstract: The 2016 election brought to light a political climate change in the United States and showed that questions scholars and pundits alike thought were answered perhaps had not been completely addressed. For some, the main question left unanswered was what would it take for a woman to become President of the United States? For others, the question of fear politics and the effects of social media were raised. Perhaps, the most intriguing was exactly who has influence over US elections? While these, and other, questions were asked in the context of the presidential election, they are also applicable to all political races. This dissertation examines how voter perceptions based on stereotypes and racial threat can affect Latina candidates’ prospects for election. Using an online experiment with 660 subjects and two elite interviews to test four hypotheses in order to determine whether or not racial resentment and stereotypes play a role in voter perceptions of Latina political candidates. The results show that racial resent and gender stereotypes play a role in voter perception of Latina political candidates. The results have theoretical and practical implications. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Political Science 2018

The United States is one of the top destination countries for human trafficking, and Florida has the third highest number of reported cases of human trafficking. Despite the severity of this issue, Florida anti-trafficking legislation, reintegration programs, and awareness campaigns tend to contribute to the invisibility of the victims and undermine their recovery and reintegration into society, especially when the victims are immigrants. This project uses a multi-method approach including content analysis of anti-human trafficking campaigns to argue that portrayals of a “perfect victim” only amplify stigmatization and discrimination against immigrant victims. Through in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation highlighting the voices of immigrant survivors, law enforcement and service providers, I analyze the individual and structural challenges to reintegration. Using these insights, I offer several recommendations about the type of services and training necessary to help trafficking victims recover from their trauma and rebuild their lives.

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the ways in which the media products of the non-profit organization Latinitas revealed ideologies and discourses about identity. The organization purports to empower Latina youth via media education. The media products include two online magazines that feature content for and by the members of the organization. The media products also include a Web site where members of the organization can post and update individual blogs and videos. While not the focus of this dissertation, it is important to note that the organization also hosts various after-school programs and workshops that teach its members about issues related to media education. The study was managed in two stages. First, a content analysis of the two magazines was conducted to reveal which ideologies were featured in the magazine articles. Literature suggests that the two most relevant identities to Latina girls are gender and ethnicity. As such, special attention was given to ideologies that directed attention to those identities. Second, a discourse analysis of the blogs and videos hosted on the Web site was performed to reveal whether the featured ideologies carried over into the media product of the members of the organization. Results suggested that the magazines focused on issues of gender while mostly ignoring issues of ethnicity. The blogs housed on the Web site reflected the focus on gender but were also the only place where talk of ethnicity was dominant. The videos were generally not used as a means to express identity and were vehicles for displaying the activities of the organization.