Cecilia Ayón

Intended and unintended consequences of the employer sanction law on Latino families

This study examined the consequences of the Legal Arizona Workers Act (LAWA) on the lives of Latino families. Twenty-six Mexican immigrants participated in focus groups. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methods including open and axial coding. The results reveal that LAWA has met its objectives, as many undocumented individuals are no longer able to obtain jobs. Several ‘unintended consequences’ point to the use of exploitive employer practices, racial profiling in the form of workplace raids, and intensified anti-immigrant sentiment and racism toward Latinos resulting in economic hardships, changes to family dynamics, living in a constant state of fear, and relocation. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.

Talking to Latino Children About Race, Inequality, and Discrimination: Raising Families in an Anti-Immigrant Political Environment

Objective: The passage of several anti-immigrant policies has been linked to heightened levels of discrimination for the Latino immigrant community. Many children are likely to be affected, considering that 10 million children in the United States are children of Latino immigrants. Informed by the ecodevelopmental framework, this study examines parent-child interactions concerning race, inequality, and discrimination. Method: This study uses in-depth qualitative interviews with Latino immigrant parents (N = 54), a majority of them women (79.6%, SD = 6.47) with on average 3 children (SD = 1.42). Constructivist grounded theory methods are used to complete the analysis. A constant comparative approach is used while completing initial, focused, and axial coding. Multiple steps are taken to support the trustworthiness of the study. Results: Findings indicate that parents use a range of messages to support their children as they are faced with issues of race, inequality, and discrimination. Parents (a) comfort their children to ensure their safety; (b) educate their children about nativity and documentation status; (c) encourage children to adapt and expect discrimination; (d) reinforce negative stereotypes; (e) model advocacy and advise children to advocate for their themselves and others; (f) build children’s ethnic pride; and (g) talk to their children about the value of diversity and empathy. Conclusion: Consistent with the ecodevelopmental framework, Latino parents play a critical role in children’s understanding and processing of their experiences with discrimination. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

Promotoras’ Efforts to Reduce Alcohol Use among Latino Youths: Engaging Latino Parents in Prevention Efforts

This study presents findings from workshops facilitated by promotoras (indigenous community leaders) in efforts to prevent and reduce alcohol use among Latino youths by engaging Latino parents in prevention efforts. Pre- and posttests consisting of a scale and open-ended questions were completed by workshop participants (i.e., Latino parents, mean age 33.63 with an average of 2 to 3 children). The participants’ awareness of the rates, risks, and consequences of alcohol use significantly improved following the intervention (pretest M = 7.99 , SD = 2.12; posttest M = 9.45; SD = 1.67; t(70) = −5.328, p < .001) with a medium effect size (Cohen’s d = .77). Four major themes emerged in regards to what parents can do to prevent alcohol use among youths, including open communication, dar el ejemplo (set an example), love, and parental involvement (i.e., support and monitoring). Participants felt the workshops’ strengths were the quality of information, the delivery of presentation, and que son madres (that the facilitators are mothers). Few studies document promotoras in substance use prevention efforts with Latinos, who underutilize specialty services. Thus, the promotoras model demonstrates a promising method for reaching this growing population.

Mexican Adolescents’ Education and Hopes in an Anti-Immigrant Environment: The Perspectives of First- and Second-Generation Youth and Parents

This study examines consequences of recent policy changes on the lives of Latino adolescents from the perspective of Latino youth and adults. The sample included 1.5- and second-generation youth and adult immigrant parents (N = 43). Findings indicate three common themes including sense of belonging, barriers to education, and lack of opportunities and consequences. Participants view the United States as a home, while enduring discriminatory practices they find supports in their communities where their sense of belonging is nurtured. Youths’ educational access and opportunities are limited. They experience many challenges including documentation status, economic insecurity, and threat of family disintegration through deportation. Responding to barriers created by legislation many youth report shifting from an educational path to a work path, as they are ineligible for financial aid, to support their families. Participants linked limited opportunities, as result of policy changes, to maladaptive behavior among youth. Implications for practice are discussed.

“Vivimos en Jaula de Oro”: The Impact of State-Level Legislation on Immigrant Latino Families

ABSTRACT This study sought to learn from Latino immigrant parents which and how state-level immigration policies impact their families. Fifty-four Latino immigrant parents participated in interviews. Constructivist grounded theory methods were used to complete the analysis. Results indicate that fear of detainment, deportation, and family separation affects participants emotionally and behaviorally. Participants experience exploitive practices in the workplace and through traffic infractions. Social support networks are constantly changing and weakened when families relocate in search of immigrant friendly communities. Simultaneously, parents develop strategies to protect their families against stringent immigration enforcement. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

The Oppression of Latina Mothers: Experiences of Exploitation, Violence, Marginalization, Cultural Imperialism, and Powerlessness in Their Everyday Lives

Despite Latinos being the largest growing population in the United States, research has not examined the impact of social structures on the well-being of Latina immigrants; negative social discourse and restrictive laws exacerbate inequality and discrimination in this population. Through combined inductive/deductive analysis of in-depth semistructured interviews, we examined immigrant Mexican mothers’ (N = 32) descriptions of oppression in the United States. All five forms of oppression, described in Young’s oppression framework are evident: exploitation, violence, marginalization, cultural imperialism, and powerlessness. Discrimination places a high burden on Latinas due to the intersection of forms of oppression and nondominant identities.

Perceived Immigration Policy Effects Scale: Development and Validation of a Scale on the Impact of State-Level Immigration Policies on Latino Immigrant Families

The present study describes the development and testing of the Perceived Immigration Policy Effects Scale (PIPES). The measure was developed in Spanish to assess the impact of state-level immigration policies on Latino immigrant parents. This study describes the steps taken to develop the scale items and psychometric testing. The scale was completed by 300 Latino immigrant parents in the state of Arizona. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis revealed/confirmed a four-factor model (discrimination, social exclusion, threat to family, and children’s vulnerability). The subscales and total scale have excellent reliability (α = .824-.934). Additional testing is needed to examine the application of the scale beyond states passing restrictive immigration policies.

Agarra el momento/seize the moment: Developing communication activities for a drug prevention intervention with and for Latino families in the US Southwest.

This article presents the development of parent–child communication activities by applying Community-Based Participatory Research and focus group methodology. Three parent–child communication activities were developed to enhance an already efficacious parenting intervention: (1) agarra el momento or seize the moment uses everyday situations to initiate conversations about substance use, (2) hay que adelantarnos or better sooner than later stresses being proactive about addressing critical issues with youth, and (3) setting rules and expectations engages parents in establishing rules and expectations for healthy and effective conversations with youth. Focus group data are presented to illustrate how thematic content from the focus groups was used to inform the development of the activities and, furthermore, how such methods supported the development of a culturally grounded intervention.

Predictors of Psychotropic Medication Use in a Nationally Representative Sample of Latino/Latina and Asian American Adults: Findings From the NLAAS

This study evaluates a multidimensional model of factors predicting psychiatric medication use among Latinos/Latinas and Asian Americans. We present a secondary data analysis of the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), an epidemiological cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of Latino(a) and Asian American adults residing in the community (N = 4,649). Hierarchical logistic regression is used to test the importance of 5 models in predicting the odds of psychotropic medication use within the last 12 months. Almost one third of respondents (29.1%, n = 1,353) meet diagnostic criteria for at least 1 disorder in their lifetime. About 9.5% (n = 440) of respondents report using psychotropic medicines within the last year. We find significantly lower odds of using psychiatric medicines among participants who lack health insurance (odds ratio [OR] = .48) and those who are averse to seeking professional care for emotional problems (OR = .43). Respondents have significantly higher odds of using psychotropic medications if they are Latino (OR = 1.5); women (OR = 1.5); 65 years or older (OR = 5.09); have psychiatric comorbidity (OR = 2.2); are not in the labor force (OR = 1.72); self-assess their physical health as poor (OR = 2.87); have received counseling or psychotherapy (OR = 4.64); have used complementary or alternative medicine (OR = 1.80); or have visited a nonspecialized medical provider 3 or more times in the prior year (OR = 2.61). These results are useful for informing the development of effective treatment and policy strategies that address the unique sociocultural characteristics and health needs of these communities.

A Family Affair: Latinas’ Narratives of Substance Use and Recovery

The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence Latinas’ drug use and recovery process. Fourteen Latinas participated in in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that their families were at the heart of their stories, playing exacerbating or protective roles. Latinas whose family had a history of substance use encountered more challenges in their recovery process, as they had to break ties from unsupportive family members and had less support available, and were more likely to internalize negative stereotypes of Latinos as drug users. Latinas with no familial history of use received tremendous support (i.e., emotional, instrumental, and family members involved in treatment) from their family. They tended to challenge negative stereotypes of Latinos as drug users. Recommendations for improving services for this population include using peer mentoring groups, culturally grounded activities and interventions, and identifying supportive family and networks members to facilitate the recovery process.