Delida Sanchez

Ethnic group differences in racial identity attitudes, perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes in African American, Black Caribbean and Latino Caribbean college students

The increasing presence of Black Caribbean and Latino Caribbean college students in higher education settings requires helping professionals to more clearly understand their unique racial identity developmental needs and experiences with discrimination in order to fortify their academic endeavors and contribute to their success. A series of 3 × 2 ANOVAs and MANOVAS were conducted to examine ethnic group differences in racial identity attitudes, perceived racial discrimination and mental health outcomes in 159 African American, Black Caribbean and Latino Caribbean college students in an urban college setting in the Northeast USA. Results indicated that dissonance and immersion racial identity status attitudes were significantly linked to perceived racial discrimination and depression for all participants. Findings also showed a main interaction effect between ethnicity and racial identity conformity attitudes and mental health outcomes with high conformity linked to increased perceived stress for Latino Caribbeans and Black Caribbeans compared to African Americans. Implications for mental health practitioners and ongoing research are discussed.

Does fertility-specific distress vary by race/ethnicity among a probability sample of women in the United States?

This study explored whether fertility-specific distress varied by race/ethnicity among a nationally representative sample of US women. Participants were 2363 White (n = 1266), Black (n = 569), Hispanic (n = 453), and Asian (n = 51) women who participated in the National Survey of Fertility Barriers. Participants were given the Fertility-Specific Distress Scale and assessed for strength of pregnancy intent, primary versus secondary infertility, and socioeconomic hardship. Black women reported lower levels of fertility-specific distress than White women, but these were fully mediated by the strength of pregnancy intentions. Primary versus secondary infertility and economic hardship were not associated with fertility-specific distress.

Perceived discrimination and sexual precursor behaviors in Mexican American preadolescent girls: The role of psychological distress, sexual attitudes, and marianismo beliefs.

OBJECTIVES This study explored the relation between perceived discrimination and sexual precursor behaviors among 205 Mexican American preadolescent middle school girls. In addition, this study examined whether psychological distress and sexual attitudes mediated and whether marianismo beliefs moderated this relation. METHOD A categorical confirmatory factor analysis (CCFA) of the Marianismo Beliefs Scale (MBS) was conducted to test the factor structure with a preadolescent Mexican American population (ages 11-14). A path analysis of analytic models was then performed to examine the hypothesized relations between perceived discrimination, psychological distress, sexual attitudes, marianismo beliefs, and sexual precursor behaviors. RESULTS Results of the CCFA did not support the original 5-factor structure of the MBS for preadolescent Latina girls. However, a revised version of the MBS indicated an acceptable model fit, and findings from the path analysis indicated that perceived discrimination was both directly and indirectly linked to sexual precursor behaviors via psychological distress. Marianismo was not found to moderate the relation between perceived discrimination and sexual risk behaviors, however certain marianismo pillars were significantly negatively linked with sexual attitudes and precursor behaviors. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the importance of psychological distress in the perceived discrimination and sexual precursor link as well as the compensatory aspects of marianismo against sexual precursor behaviors in Mexican American preadolescent girls. (PsycINFO Database Record

The Relationships Among Perceived Discrimination, Marianismo Gender Role Attitudes, Racial-Ethnic Socialization, Coping Styles, and Mental Health Outcomes in Latina College Students.

The current study examined the links between perceived discrimination, marianismo gender role beliefs, racial-ethnic socialization (preparation for bias), coping strategies (engagement vs. disengagement), and mental health outcomes among 211 Latina college students. First, the authors investigated predictions about mediation effects of ethnic socialization and marianismo in the association between perceived discrimination and coping strategies. Second, they tested predictions about mediation effects of coping strategies in the link between perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes. Results of path analyses showed that perceived discrimination was positively related to familismo and spiritual marianismo pillars, preparation for bias, and engagement coping strategies. Furthermore, the link between perceived discrimination and engagement coping strategies was partially mediated via preparation for bias. Finally, perceived discrimination, disengagement coping strategies and self-silencing marianismo attitudes were negatively linked to mental health. Overall, these findings highlight the complex ways in which coping strategies are linked with one’s ethnic and gender socialization and related to perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes. El presente estudio examinó las relaciones entre la discriminación percibida, la socialización étnica-racial (preparación de discriminación), roles de marianismo creencias, estrategias (de compromiso frente a la desconexión) y los resultados de salud mental entre los 211 estudiantes universitarias Latinas. Primero, se investigó predicciones sobre los efectos de mediación de socialización étnica y el marianismo en la asociación entre las estrategias de afrontamiento y la discriminación percibida. También, investigamos las predicciones acerca de los efectos de mediación de las estrategias de supervivencia en la relación entre la discriminación percibida y el salud mental. Los resultados de los análisis mostraron que discriminación percibida fue relacionado positivamente con la preparación para la discriminación, el familismo y pilares Marianismo espirituales, así como las estrategias de participación de afrontamiento. Además, la relación entre las estrategias de afrontamiento de compromiso y la discriminación percibida fue parcialmente mediada a través de la preparación de discriminación. Finalmente, la discriminación percibida, las estrategias de afrontamiento y “self-silencing” Marianismo actitudes estaban relacionado negativamente a la salud mental. En general, estos resultados ponen de relieve las complejas formas en que las estrategias de afrontamiento están vinculados con la propia socialización étnica y de género y relacionadas con la discriminación percibida y los resultados de salud mental.

Examining marianismo gender role attitudes, ethnic identity, mental health, and substance use in Mexican American early adolescent girls

ABSTRACT Given the increased trend in substance use patterns among Latina adolescents in recent years, the need for research that identifies gender-specific and culturally relevant protective factors is essential in tailoring interventions. The current study examined the links between marianismo gender role attitudes, ethnic identity, and substance use abstinence among 277 low-income Mexican American early adolescent girls. Mental health was also examined as a potential moderator in these links. Results of linear regression analysis revealed that familismo, virtuous/chaste, and spiritual marianismo gender role attitudes were predictive of stronger ethnic identity; conversely, self-silencing marianismo attitudes were predictive of weaker ethnic identity. Second, results of hierarchical logistic regressions revealed that both virtuous/chaste marianismo gender role attitudes and mental health (low rates of psychological distress) were inversely linked with substance use; furthermore, they had a combined link that was related to even lower rates of substance use among participants. However, ethnic identity did not have a direct or moderating effect on substance use. Findings suggest that the promotion of positive components of marianismo and mental health may have a protective effect against early substance use in Mexican American early adolescent girls.

Familial ethnic socialization, gender role attitudes, and ethnic identity development in Mexican-origin early adolescents.

Objectives: This study examined the relations between familial ethnic socialization and ethnic identity development in 438 Mexican-origin (n = 242 boys and n = 196 girls) preadolescents. In addition, machismo and marianismo gender role attitudes were examined as potential mediators in this link. Method: Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) of the Familial Ethnic Socialization Scale (FES), Machismo Measure (MM), Marianismo Beliefs Scale (MBS), and the Ethnic Identity Brief Scale (EISB) were conducted to test the factor structure with a preadolescent Mexican-origin sample. Separate path analyses of analytic models were then performed on boys and girls. Results: Results of the CFAs for survey measures revealed that for the FES, a 1-factor version indicated acceptable fit; for the MM, the original 2-factor structure indicated acceptable model fit; for the MBS, a revised 3-factor version indicated acceptable model fit; and, for the EISB, the affirmation and resolution dimensions showed acceptable fit. Among boys, FES was significantly and positively linked to caballerismo, and EISB affirmation and resolution; furthermore, the links between FES and EISB affirmation and resolution were indirectly connected by caballerismo. In addition, traditional machismo was negatively linked to EISB affirmation, and caballerismo was positively linked to EISB affirmation and resolution. Among girls, FES was significantly and positively related to the MBS-virtuous/chaste pillar, and EISB affirmation and resolution. The MBS-subordinate to others pillar was negatively linked to EISB affirmation. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of FES and positive gender role attitudes in the link to ethnic identity development among Mexican-origin preadolescents.

Exploring the Relations Between Religious Orientation and Racial Identity Attitudes in African College Students A Preliminary Analysis

As the Black African college student population increases across U.S. college campuses, helping professionals are encouraged to more clearly understand the unique identity developmental needs of these students in order to fortify their academic endeavors and contribute to their success. Both religion and race are powerful forces that shape identity, providing an overall sense of purpose, a feeling of connection with others, and a sense of community. Yet, both of these aspects of identity are rarely studied in Black African college student populations. This study examined the relations between religious orientation and racial identity attitudes in 49 Black African college students, whose diverse racial, ethnic, and religious experiences have been understudied. The results from multiple regression analyses indicated that religious orientation was significantly related to racial identity status. Specifically, intrinsic religious orientation was positively related to preencounter (i.e., pro-White, anti-Black beliefs about one’s own racial group) racial identity attitudes, quest religious orientation was positively related to immersion-emersion (i.e., anti-White, pro-Black attitudes about one’s own racial-cultural group) racial identity attitudes, and the relations between intrinsic religious orientation and internalization (i.e., internalized positive self-acceptance) racial identity attitudes approached significance. Recommendations for future research and implications for diversity in higher education are discussed.

Narrative Roles Among Contact Versus Noncontact Sexual Offenders

The current study explored narrative roles among individuals convicted of a sexual offense. Narrative roles in a criminal context are defined as specific personal accounts utilized by offenders to justify illegal behavior. The chosen theoretical framework recognized four primary offender roles: Revengeful Mission/Romantic Quest, Professional, Victim, and Tragic Hero. A total of 23 interviews were conducted with individuals convicted of a sexual offense (n = 11 contact, n = 12 noncontact) to explore and compare narrative roles between contact and noncontact offenders. Interviews were conducted using a phenomenological approach and coded via Framework Analysis, a qualitative data analytic method. Findings revealed a general pattern of narrative themes among offenders, along with a tendency for contact offenders to endorse Revengeful Mission/Romantic Quest narrative roles and noncontact offenders to endorse Tragic Hero narrative roles. Findings suggest that incorporating narrative roles into conceptualization and treatment of sexual offenders may help with tailoring treatments more effectively.

Racial-ethnic microaggressions, coping strategies, and mental health in Asian American and Latinx American college students: A mediation model.

The current study examined the link between racial-ethnic microaggressions and psychological distress among 308 Asian American (n = 164) and Latinx American (n = 144) college students (54% female). Additionally, coping strategies (engagement and disengagement) were examined as potential mediators in this link. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the Racial-Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS) was conducted to test the factor structure with an Asian American and Latinx American emerging adult population (Ages 18–26). A multigroup path analysis of the analytic model was then performed to examine the hypothesized relations between racial-ethnic microaggressions, coping strategies, and psychological distress among Asian American and Latinx American participants. Results of the CFA did not support the original 6-factor structure of the REMS in this sample. However, a 1-factor structure (i.e., total scale score) indicated good fit. Findings from the path analysis indicated that among the total sample, racial-ethnic microaggressions were directly linked to increased psychological distress. Furthermore, engagement coping strategies partially mediated this relationship and were linked to less psychological distress.

Examining Africentric Cultural Values, Ethnic Identity, and Substance Use Abstinence in Low-Income, Early Adolescent, African American Girls:

An examination of cultural protective factors that foster substance use abstinence among low-income, early adolescent, African American girls may be helpful in understanding how to promote resilience and reduce negative health outcomes. This study examined the relations between Africentric cultural values, ethnic identity, and substance use abstinence among 196 low-income African American early adolescent girls (age 11-14 years). Results of logistic regressions revealed that Africentric values were negatively linked to cigarette and alcohol abstinence. Results also showed a significant positive interaction between Africentric cultural values and ethnic identity exploration that contributed to increased cigarette and alcohol abstinence. Implications for research and practice with African American early adolescent girls are discussed.