Influence of risk factors and cultural assets on Latino adolescents' trajectories of self-esteem and internalizing symptoms

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2010 Apr;41(2):133-55. doi: 10.1007/s10578-009-0157-6. Epub 2009 Aug 12.

Abstract

In this study, we examined longitudinal, person-centered trajectories of acculturation, internalizing symptoms, and self-esteem in 349 Latino adolescents. We compared acculturation measures (time in the US, culture-of-origin involvement, US cultural involvement, for both parents and adolescents); acculturation stressors (perceived discrimination, acculturation conflicts); and family dynamics (parent-adolescent conflict, familism). Results indicated that, over time, Latino adolescents' internalizing problems decreased and their self-esteem increased. However, we showed that increased length of time living in the US was significantly related to lower self-esteem among adolescents. Parent-adolescent conflict was a strong risk factor, which not only directly heightened internalizing symptoms and lowered self-esteem, but also mediated the effects of acculturation conflicts and perceived discrimination on these outcomes. Our findings revealed familism as a cultural asset associated with fewer internalizing symptoms and higher self-esteem. Internalizing symptoms were also minimized by the adolescent's involvement in the US culture whereas bicultural adolescents with high culture-of-origin involvement reported higher self-esteem. We discussed the limitations and implications of this study for future research and practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation*
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Conflict, Psychological*
  • Cultural Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations / ethnology
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • United States / ethnology