Andrew O. Behnke

The Relationship Between Latino Adolescents’ Perceptions of Discrimination, Neighborhood Risk, and Parenting on Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptoms

Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological framework, this study examined the roles of Latino adolescents’ reports of discrimination, neighborhood risk, parent-child conflict over culture, and parental support in relation to their self-esteem and depression. Analysis of self-report data from 383 ninth grade, Latino students from one Los Angeles high school was used to validate a Multigroup Structural Equation Model of self-esteem and depressive symptoms for boys and girls. As expected, self-esteem was negatively and significantly related to depressive symptoms, yet the influence of other factors were less clear. Five paths marked the influence of mothers’ and fathers’ interactions on youths’ outcomes, demonstrating a strong path from fathers’ support to adolescent self-esteem and differing paths from cultural conflict with mother and father to youth outcomes. Neighborhood risks were significantly related to boys’ and girls’ self-esteem and depressive symptoms, especially for boys. Societal discrimination was significantly related to youths’ reports of depressive symptoms yet not significantly related to self-esteem. Results are discussed in terms of applications for both practice and future research.

Latino Students in New Arrival States: Factors and Services to Prevent Youth From Dropping Out

Latino youth are more likely than any other ethnic group to drop out of high school in the United States. Though some research has helped us understand the factors leading to dropout, very few studies have assessed Latino student’s opinions of services and factors that would help them stay in school (e.g., family, school, peers, and policies). This study presents the results of an in-depth survey of 501 Latino students in North Carolina public schools. Findings suggest that Latino youth drop out because of the difficulty of their school work, personal problems (e.g., pregnancy or problems at home), the need to work to support their family economically, and peer pressure. Students suggest improved academic and personal support in the form of tutoring, mentoring, after-school programs; improved English as a second language classes; and more Spanish-speaking staff/teachers. Recommendations for intervention and policy are suggested.

Neighborhood structural qualities, adolescents' perceptions of neighborhoods, and Latino youth development

The purposes of this research brief were to examine (a) whether youth reports of neighborhood qualities were significantly related to census data at the block group, measuring the same structural qualities and (b) whether the structural qualities were related to youth development either directly or indirectly through youth perceptions. Data were collected from three sources: self-report surveys, school records, and the 2000 U.S. census. A nonrandom sample of 534 Latino students from one high school in Los Angeles was used. Correlations and structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrated that youth reports of neighborhoods were significantly related to the structural qualities. SEM demonstrated that the structural qualities were indirectly related to all four adolescent outcomes (i.e., self-esteem, self-efficacy, academic aspirations, grades) via adolescents’ perceptions.

What Would They Do? Latino Church Leaders and Domestic Violence:

Understanding what Latino church leaders believe about domestic violence, and what they do when they confront it, is a key step in developing programs to help them engage in domestic violence prevention and intervention activities in their congregations. This article presents the findings from an exploratory study of 28 Latino church leaders. The study surveyed respondents’ beliefs about domestic violence and asked for their reactions to three domestic violence vignettes they might encounter. We found that study participants were willing to respond to cases of domestic violence in what we would define as constructive ways. However, some responses suggested potentially unsafe and ill-advised reactions to the vignettes. We discuss our study’s implications for practice and suggest future directions for additional research.

Fatherhood stories: Grandparents, grandchildren, and gender differences

The meanings of fatherhood conveyed in grandparent stories told by adult grandchildren vary both by the sex of the grandchild and by the sex of the grandparent who figures in the story. An inductive analysis was conducted of fatherhood stories involving grandparents as told by adult grandchildren (N = 79). Findings suggest that grandsons drew on stories about grandparents to present fatherhood as centered on work and recreation, and to suggest that women play supporting roles. Granddaughters’ stories were less positive, and suggested that women must make up for perceived deficiencies of fathers. This qualitative study is the first to explore same- and cross-sex similarities and differences in grandparents’ socialization of grandchildren into meanings of good fathering.

Effectively Serving Low-Income Fathers of Color

Abstract Though the last decade has demonstrated an increased interest in research on fathers of color, little has been written to aid professionals and policymakers who serve fathers of color. This literature review employs four dynamic conditions—microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem—underlying a socioecological framework to present various key factors influencing the lives of low-income African American and Latino fathers. By integrating multiple levels of thinking about these fathers, we situate our suggestions for effectively engaging these fathers within the reality of these mens diverse contextual and social environments. Discussion also includes best practices and examples of programs to guide professionals and policymakers working to better the lives of families of color.

Protecting Rural Church-Going Immigrant Women from Family Violence

Rural Latino immigrant women at risk of family violence may perceive churches as their only source of help. However, immigrant church leaders may be poorly equipped to address family violence in their congregations. This article describes a project designed to stimulate and support appropriate responses to family violence by rural immigrant churches, including those identified with conservative theological views on women. The primary goal was to provide rural Latino church leaders with culturally sensitive materials and resources they were willing to use with their congregations. We collaborated with local service providers who assisted in recruiting the church leaders for the pastors’ workshops where the resource materials were presented. Survey data indicated most of the pastors were receptive to the content and planned to incorporate it into their church work. Suggestions are made for future research on this culturally sensitive approach to addressing family violence in the immigrant community.

Ethnic Variations in the Connection Between Work-Induced Family Separation and Turnover Intent

Using conservation of resources theory, this study examines the role of resources in the relationship between work-induced family separation and workers’ intentions to leave their employment and how these relationships vary across ethnic groups. Analyses of a large representative sample of military members reveal that family separation is significantly related to intent to leave the military and that this relationship is partially mediated by resources for all ethnic groups. Work- and family-related resources are the most strongly related to both separation and turnover for all ethnic groups, but significant ethnic variations are found for most paths in the model. Results are discussed in terms of applications inside and outside the military and potential implications for conservation of resources theory.

Is All Parental “Noninvolvement” Equal? Barriers to Involvement and Their Relationship to Latino Academic Achievement:

High parental involvement has consistently been shown to enhance academic achievement among Latino youth. Still, some youth continue to thrive academically despite low parental involvement. The Theory of Rationality suggests that the impact of even potentially negative behaviors depends on how the behavior is interpreted. To test the application of this theory to parental “noninvolvement” among Latinos, we assessed how adolescent rationales about their parents’ noninvolvement in their schooling affected grade point average (GPA). Results showed that parental lack of transportation and feeling unwelcomed at school as reasons for noninvolvement were significantly and negatively related to GPA, and conflict with work schedule was significantly and positively related to GPA. Other reasons for noninvolvement were not significantly associated with GPA. Findings indicate that the meaning adolescents attribute to parental behavior may be a stronger predictor of academic achievement than the amount of involvement alone.

Parental Perceptions of Coaching

Family Life Coaching (FLC) is an emerging approach to serving families that blends family science and coaching psychology. While family life coaching is growing, there is limited research on the perceptions of families about coaching. This study explores parental knowledge of and opinions of family life coaching as a way to help deal with parenting issues across the life course. Findings from this mixed methods study support parental preferences of family life coaching and further suggest that parents support the idea of hiring a family life coach or coaching professional to assist in meeting their goals.