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The ultimate goal of this research was to provide a tool to adequately examine the relationship that parenting style has with Hispanic youths' academic and behavioral outcomes. A review of the literature reveals that the field is lacking an appropriate, culturally sensitive, paper-and-pencil measure of parenting of Hispanic adolescents with adolescents reporting on their parents' behavior. Current measures were not developed with Hispanic families in mind, but rather were evaluated for use with Hispanic populations after the development phase. Therefore, the current study sought to fill this gap in the research on parenting by constructing a measure of parenting that was not only culturally sensitive in its use, but also culturally sensitive in its development. This study consisted of three phases, each using a Hispanic-only sample. First, 4 group interviews informed the item content and development of this new scale. Four focus groups consisted of 4-7 parents each, and 6 focus groups consisted of 6-8 middle school adolescents each. The information collected in the focus groups was used to develop 60 items intended to measure parenting behaviors in Hispanic families. In the second phase, 314 Hispanic students completed the new 60-item scale. Reliability estimates, item analyses and factor analyses were conducted to reduce the items to a total of 32 items and to determine emerging factors. In the final phase, 131 Hispanic students completed the revised 32-item scale and 105 of these students were retained for the analyses. Regression equations were used to predict academic and behavioral outcomes, and the new reduced-item parenting scale was compared to an established parenting scale originally developed for majority non-Hispanic American culture. Analyses also explored the new measure's relationship with acculturation, ethnic identity, SES, and generational status. The new 32-item measure provided unique information above and beyond the established parenting measure when predicting Global Self-Worth, suggesting that the new measure may better capture the relationship between parenting and student outcomes. On the other hand, future studies need to address methodological limitations of this study by using a larger sample size and increasing sample heterogeneity while maintaining consistency in demographic variables across within-study samples.

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between family structure including family size, number of parents at home, and presence of an older sibling at home, and the language development of young Latino children. I used data from the Head Start--Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) year 2000, which included information on 746 Latino preschool children and their families in different Head Start programs nationwide. A subgroup of 369 children were identified as English-language learners (ELL) because they were determined to be primarily Spanish speaking. Some of the findings indicate that more than two thirds of children (69%) who do not have two parents at home are primarily English speakers and more than two thirds of children (68%) who have two parents at home are primarily Spanish speakers. Independent sample t tests indicate there are statistically significant differences between Latino primarily Spanish speakers and Latino primarily English speakers on vocabulary and early literacy outcomes. Family background variables such as English language proficiency of parents and parent education are important factors that affect early language and literacy development of their children. In addition, family structure variables have some effects on these outcomes. The variables family poverty and family size, specifically having an older sibling, had negative impacts only on the primarily English-speaking group. The most influential social factors for the Latino primarily English-speaking preschool children's language and literacy outcomes are different than the most influential social factors for the same outcomes of their primarily Spanish-speaking preschooler counterparts who in general experience less favorable outcomes overall.

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to learn how cultural sensitivity was integrated and perceived in community nutrition education of an existing program offered by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Education Program. Data collection consisted of a quantitative cultural competence assessment survey tool used with nutrition education paraprofessionals (n=74), qualitative in-depth interviews of nutrition education paraprofessionals (n=8) and focus groups of Hispanic/Latino nutrition education program participants (n=39). Findings were focused in three areas; the cultural sensitivity needs of the program, the perception of nutrition education by participants and the training and professional development needs of nutrition education paraprofessionals. Among the cultural sensitivity needs of the program identified were curriculum resource needs, community referral needs, the importance of community partnerships and the importance of incorporation of children in nutrition education were identified. Among the training and professional development needs of nutrition education paraprofessionals, a need for Hispanic cultural education, language services education and chronic disease education were reported. The value of cross-cultural exchange and the need for chronic disease education in relation to dietary habits were identified by the participant focus group findings.

Latino children make up the largest ethnic group in the United States today. Latino children are also the ethnic group less likely to access and utilize mental health services. As a result, Latino children have higher rates of unmet mental health needs. There is limited research focusing on the mental health services needs of Latino children and lack of access and use of such services. This qualitative study explored barriers among Latino children in accessing and utilizing mental health services. This study conducted face-to-face and Skype interviews with eight mental health providers who work or have worked with Latino children with mental health needs. The eight interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify common themes regarding barriers Latino children face in accessing and utilizing mental health services in participant responses. The major themes identified by this study included: cultural values, insurance, socioeconomic status, lack of bilingual providers, agency days and hours of operation, immigration status, and lack of awareness of mental health. Through identifying such barriers, this study may raise social worker awareness of barriers Latino children face and better equip social workers to plan and implement approaches to address identified barriers in efforts to increase Latino children’s access and use of mental health services to meet their mental health needs.

Latino immigrants have a strong presence in Southern, California. Although the Latino population can be attributed with possessing significant strengths and resiliency, their unique barriers as to legal status, language, and culture, have led to the researchers’ developing an interest on how undocumented immigrant status affects family reunification and service delivery within the child welfare system. The following research study focuses on evaluating how undocumented immigration status affects family reunification and service delivery in child welfare. It seeks to answer how current case work practice addresses the needs of undocumented Latino immigrant families that become involved within the child welfare system and how their undocumented immigration legal status impacts the reunification process and the receipt of services within the community. For the purpose of this study, an urban Southern California child welfare agency servicing a large population of immigrant Latinos was utilized. Using the constructivist paradigm, researchers interviewed ten children’s social service workers that possessed a mixture of knowledge, experience, and insight as to this population. The study found that undocumented Latino immigrants faced barriers related to their poor acculturation, that affected their family reunification. For instance, not understanding the English language, not understanding child abuse laws, limited access to culturally appropriate services, and social workers’ limited knowledge of working with undocumented Latino immigrant clients were barriers faced by this population. The findings in this study can be utilized by the child welfare agency to improve cultural awareness trainings for child welfare workers, work towards increasing culturally sensitive service availability, and advance policy.

Undocumented immigrants have historically been excluded from the medical care system. This study explored the attitudes and experiences of undocumented Latino immigrants when seeking medical services in the San Bernardino County. It aimed to share the stories of undocumented immigrants that often go untold and provide valuable insight into the needs and concerns of this population. The exploratory study utilized a qualitative approach through interviews. Data was collected through in person and over the phone interviews, which were then transcribed and analyzed using a constant comparative method. The findings of this study identified barriers and challenges faced by undocumented immigrants including a lack of equal access to healthcare, a lack of knowledge in navigating the healthcare system, stigma and discrimination, language, finances, culture, and fear. Both negative and positive experiences were shared, along with advice provided by participants for undocumented immigrants. This study carried important implications for medical professionals, agencies, and policy makers to better address the needs and concerns of undocumented patients. Research recommendations included implementing programs based off this study’s findings and exploring the attitudes and experiences of this population when seeking mental health services. Further research is encouraged to work towards dismantling the barriers faced by the undocumented immigrant population.

Vermont is a largely rural and homogenous New England state not often thought of as a destination for Latino migrant farm laborers, but in recent years dairy farms have begun hiring Latino workers; there are now an estimated 1200 in the state, although the exact number is unknown (Baker, 2013). As the dairy industry is the largest contributor to sales from agriculture for the state, these farmworkers play an essential role in Vermont’s economy (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2014b). These migrant dairy farmworkers hail primarily from Mexico, with a small fraction from Central America, and lack sufficient documentation to work and live legally in the U.S. Myriad stressors are inherent to both dairy farm labor and living as an illegal immigrant. In a state like Vermont so near the Canadian border, where federal immigration officials have jurisdiction, there is an additional layer of risk. This thesis explores the social, political, geographic, and economic context of Vermont as it relates to the experiences of stress for Latino migrant dairy farmworkers in the state. In addition to reviewing the literature to better understand of the context for stress and stressors affecting migrant farmworkers the U.S., this thesis uses information from a survey administered to Latino migrant dairy farmworkers in Vermont. This thesis utilizes the Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory (MFWSI), a survey instrument designed to assess the types and severities of stressors inherent to migrant farmwork. This survey is supplemented by questions targeting Vermont-specific stressors for migrant farmworkers. Demographic characteristics reveal Vermont’s Latino migrant farmworkers to be mostly Spanish-speaking males from Mexico or Guatemala in their late 20s, and although over half the population are married/in a partnership and have children, less than half those farmworkers live with their partners or kids. Among these farmworkers, 36% exhibit “caseness,” for stress, i.e. degree of stress correlated with poor mental or physical health outcomes defined as a score of ≥80 on the MFWSI. The mean stress score for this population is 74.55, above the average for studies in the literature using the MFWSI. Significant stressors from this study include those related to social isolation, language barriers, and migration and legal insecurity. Factors contributing significantly to overall stress or more extreme levels of specific stressors include: living closer to the Canadian border, getting surveyed in cold months, being Guatemalan, being in a marriage or partnership, having contact with health clinics, getting paid lower wages, working longer hours, not having family or partners on the farm, having a previous farm injury, having a Driver’s Privilege Card, and not having contact with various organizations that help migrant farmworkers in Vermont. Exploratory questions reveal that keeping busy and socializing are the main ways farmworkers reduce stress in their lives, but that having a work permit/legal status, or being able to be with family would most reduce their stress. This thesis concludes with suggestions for increasing support for organizations that provide essential services to migrant farmworkers, like health services, ESL and education, and advocacy for improved labor conditions. Continued research should use the insights gleaned from this thesis to explore further strategies for coping with the stressors prevalent amongst Vermont’s Latino migrant dairy farmworkers.

Parents who experience their children's coming out encounter emotional reactions that could compromise their ability to function, particularly when challenged by the Catholic doctrine towards homosexuality. It is not well known how Latino parents experience their children's coming out and how they mediate their Catholic identity. The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of these parents considering phenomenology as the method of inquiry. The theoretical lens was based on the parental acceptance-rejection theory. The research questions addressed how Latinos experienced the coming out of their children and how they mediated their identities as Catholics and as parents of a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) child. The data for this study consisted of 12 interviews with parents using an open-ended, and a semistructured format. A total of 6 themes (disclosure of an LGB identity, conflicts, help towards conflict resolution, church support, acceptance, and identity consolidation) and 10 subthemes (suspicion of an LGB identity, unexpected disclosure, internal, family, cultural and church conflicts, God's love, unconditional love, parenting pride, and Catholic pride) emerged from the analysis. The results indicated that Latino parents underscored the positive qualities of their LGB children while other Latino parents criticize the Catholic doctrine towards homosexuality. In conclusion, the notion of an all-loving and all-accepting God prompted Latinos to consolidate their identities as Catholic and as parents of a LGB child. Implications for positive social change include the education of behavioral health professionals and the Catholic clergy to enhance their professional competencies to assist Latino parents seeking counseling services or seeking spiritual care within the Roman Catholic Church.

To date, not much is known about why past research has found that Latino youth report higher levels of internalizing symptoms than White non-Latino youth. At a more basic level, our current understanding of phenomenology of internalizing problems in Latino youth is limited. This study explored the relationship among anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms and investigated the influence of cultural acceptability on somatic symptom expression within a school-based sample (5th through 8th grade) of Latino and White non-Latino youth. Anxiety and depression uniquely explained variability in somatic symptom expression. Contrary to past research, Latino and White non-Latino youth did not report different somatic symptoms levels. Cultural acceptability did not vary by ethnicity. Cultural acceptability also did not predict somatic symptoms. Exploratory analyses were conducted including African-American youth and with male only samples. Cultural acceptability predicted somatic symptoms among the male only samples. Future studies should further explore possible interactions between gender and culture on the expression of psychological distress. / acase@tulane.edu