Very little research on marital dynamics has focused on Latinos or Mexican-origin couples, although Latinos are currently the largest minority group in the United States. Furthermore, previous studies suggest women of Mexican origin experience a gradual decline in marital satisfaction over their life course, but examination of this issue has yielded inconsistent findings. The current study was conducted to investigate the influence of three specific Latino cultural values on the marital satisfaction of women of Mexican origin: familismo (family loyalty, unity, and obligation), machismo (male dominance and responsibility to provide for and protect his family), and marianismo (women as self-sacrificing, nurturing, and pious). The goal of this study was to examine the accompanying and shifting cultural values of the acculturation process and increase understanding of the implications of Latino cultural values on marital satisfaction among women of Mexican origin in U.S. society. Two hundred and fourteen married women of Mexican origin, ranging in age from 19 to 68 (M = 37), participated in the study. Data collection was completed online through an internet survey program. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Short Acculturation Scale (Marin, Sabogal, Marin, Otero-Sabogal, & Perez-Stable, 1987), the Familism Scale (Lugo Steidel & Contreras, 2003), the Machismo Subscale of the Multiphasic Assessment of Cultural Constructs-Short Form (Cuellar, Arnold, & Gonzalez, 1995), the Latina Values Scale-Revised (Marano, 2000; revised by Melendez, 2004), the Relationship Assessment Scale (Hendrick, 1988), and a supplemental question regarding their tolerance for divorce. Three hypotheses were proposed in terms of the three cultural values, participant acculturation level, and husband’s generational status, with marital satisfaction as the criterion variable. A large percentage (71.5%) of the sample in the study was well-educated, with either a college, master’s, or doctoral degree; hence, the results are reflective of highly educated, Mexican-origin women. Using hierarchical regression analyses it was found that familismo was positively correlated with marital satisfaction among women of Mexican origin. In addition, neither of the hypothesized interactions (marianismo x perceived machismo (participant’s perception of her husband’s endorsement of machismo) and acculturation x husband’s generational status) was confirmed. Correlational and regression analyses revealed that both marianismo and perceived machismo were significantly and negatively correlated with marital satisfaction. Clinical and research implications, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed. / text

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Hispanics, and cervical cancer incidence is higher (64%) for Hispanics than for non-Hispanic whites. In Texas Hispanic women 50 and older are the lowest screened and present with higher incidence of invasive cervical cancer as compared to non-Hispanic white women. They are diagnosed at a peak age of 65-74, which suggests that Hispanic women need to be screened past the recommended screening age. An estimated 90 million people in the U.S. lack basic literacy skills and low literacy may contribute to low screening. Few studies have addressed the relationship between low health literacy and cervical cancer screening among older women of Mexican-American ancestry. This study sought to uncover the cervical cancer screening beliefs, practices, health literacy, knowledge, and experiences of English and/or Spanish-speaking older women of Mexican-American ancestry. Thirty women participated in focus group or individual interviews in English and/or Spanish. Women 50 years of age or older living in the community were recruited from senior centers in South Texas from a purposeful convenience sample. Data collection was conducted through audio-taped semi-structured interviews following a moderator guide developed using Zarcadoolas, Pleasant, and Greer’s (2005) health literacy model. Data were transcribed, analyzed in original language, translated for meaning, aggregated for analysis using qualitative content analysis; matrices were developed and analyzed individually, and then data were aggregated. The Newest Vital Sign, a health literacy tool, was used to partially assess fundamental literacy. Major themes elucidated were (a) Reasons “I don’t go” [fundamental literacy], (b), Prevention of cancer and “everything else” [science literacy], (c) We are different,[cultural literacy], (d) There is always “consejos” (advice, messages) [civic literacy], and media literacy, (e) Telenovelas (soap-operas) teach a lot, and (f) Learning from Internet brochures. The study supports a multidimensional model of health literacy and focus group research, accounting for the group’s cultural norms, language, and educational preferences. It adds information for nurse clinicians about providing holistic care, for nurse educators regarding communication strategies for diverse older populations, and for researchers to continue developing strategies that improve health literacy and health outcomes for minority older women. / text

The literature has documented the disproportionate rate of HIV infection among women of color, mainly, African American women and Latinas. The current trend shows that the number of cases affecting these sub-populations will continue to increase. A gap exists in the literature in understanding the coping strategies of Mexican American women living with HIV. Using an ethnographic approach, this research answers the central question of how Mexican American women live with and make meaning of their HIV status. This researcher used a sample of 15 Mexican American women living with HIV who had participated in the Mujeres Unidas support group in San Antonio, Texas. The most common theme found was how the role of faith was central to their lives. It was clear that this belief served as their primary source of strength. The findings suggest the need for social workers to examine new paradigms, strategies, and interventions that focus on the broad social, economic, and community factors that put Mexican American women disproportionately at risk for HIV. These factors include poverty, income and wealth inequality, poor quality of life, racism, sexism, and low socioeconomic status, which are all major risk factors for ill health and health disparities. This research demands that social workers and other researchers examining coping skills address the issues of resiliency and strengths perspective in understanding the ways in which the life journey unfolds for Mexican American women living with HIV. Although, this study focused on Mexican American women, future research is needed to compare this group to other women living with HIV as there may be cultural differences that exist. Additional research is needed in studying the role that religion plays in the lives of Mexican American women living with HIV as many of the participants revealed that they left things up to “God’s will.” Among the unexpected findings, the theme of viewing their situation from the perspective of “Un dia a la vez” (One day at a time) suggests that the belief that the course of their lives is not necessarily under their control which could be related to fatalism (fatalism). / text

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Thesis (M.A.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-63).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.