Melissa L. Morgan Consoli

The relationship between mexican american cultural values and resilience among mexican american college students: A mixed methods study

The current study investigated the role of cultural values in the resilience of Mexican American college students. Utilizing mixed methodology, 124 self-identified Mexican American college students were asked to complete an online survey, including a demographic questionnaire, the Resilience Scale, Mexican American Cultural Values Scale, and 2 open-ended questions concerning overcoming adversity and cultural values. As hypothesized, Mexican American traditional cultural values (Familismo, Respeto, Religiosidad, and Traditional Gender Roles) predicted resilience, with Familismo accounting for the majority of the variance. Consensual qualitative research (Hill, Thompson, & Nutt Williams, 1997) was used to identify emergent domains and themes within the open-ended question responses. Traditional Mexican American Value themes included Familismo, Ethnic Identity, Religiosidad, Perseverance, and Respeto. Results highlight the important role that certain Mexican American cultural values play in providing strength for overcoming adversities.

Predictors of Resilience and Thriving among Latina/o Undergraduate Students.

Previous studies of Latina/o well-being indicate that supportive family members, religion or spirituality, and cultural values (e.g., familismo) aid in coping with adversities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of several factors (spirituality, hope, social support, and cultural values) in predicting resilience and thriving in Latina/o undergraduates (N = 121). Two hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the unique contributions of the predictors to resilience and thriving. Results demonstrated differences between resilience and thriving as evidenced by the fact that they have different predictor variables. For example, hope was a predictor variable for both constructs, but spirituality was a significant predictor only for thriving. Implications for research and practice and future directions are discussed.

Receiving Spiritual Care: Experiences of Dying and Grieving Individuals

The study examines the perceptions of interfaith spiritual care, received through a volunteer hospice organization, by 10 individuals facing death and dying. Qualitative methodology based on the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used to collect and analyze the data. Four superordinate themes reflected meanings ascribed to spirituality and spiritual care in facing end of life: Vital Role of Spirituality in the End-of-Life Care, Definitions and Parameters of Spirituality and Interfaith Spiritual Care, Distinct Aspects of Interfaith Spiritual Care, and Unmet Spiritual Needs. The results expand an understanding of the role of spirituality and spiritual care as part of the hospice and palliative care through attention to individual perceptions and experiences, as well as to ways to expand attention to spirituality within the hospice care.

Latino/a Freshman Struggles: Effects of Locus of Control and Social Support on Intragroup Marginalization and Distress.

The transition to college can be difficult for many students; however, Latina/o students can face unique cultural stressors, impacting psychological health. Intragroup marginalization, or feeling marginalized by members within one’s cultural community, is one such stressor that can impact Latina/o students’ college experiences. Despite the challenges many Latina/o students face, Latina/os also demonstrate resilience and the ability to succeed. This study expands existing research on intragroup marginalization, using a cross-sectional design to test a mediational model of intragroup marginalization from friends and psychological distress, with locus of control and peer social support in a sample of 137 Latina/o college freshmen from a large public university in the western United States. Intragroup marginalization from friends predicted psychological distress. In addition, locus of control and social support from friends were identified as mediating variables. This research demonstrates the negative impact of intragroup marginalization from friends for Latina/o students, as well as the protective role of having an internal locus of control and peer social support on experiences of psychological distress. Results also highlight unique factors related to Latina/o freshmen college experiences as a means for improving Latina/o students’ success in college. La transición hacia la universidad puede ser difícil para muchos estudiantes. Sin embargo, los estudiantes Latina/os pueden enfrentar factores especiales de estrés culturales que afectan a su salud psicológica. Marginación intragrupal, o sea, sintiéndose marginalizado por los mismos miembros de su comunidad cultural, es un tipo de estrés cultural que puede afectar a los estudiantes Latina/os en las experiencias de universidad. A pesar de los desafíos que los estudiantes Latina/os enfrentan, ellos también demuestran resiliencia y la capacidad para triunfar. Este estudio amplía las investigaciones que existen sobre la marginación intragrupal, utilizando un diseño del estudio transversal para probar un modelo de mediación de la marginación intragrupal de amigos y la angustia psicológica. Se usa locus de control y el apoyo social de compañeros en su muestra de 137 estudiantes Latina/os en su primer año en una universidad pública y grande en el oeste de los Estados Unidos. La marginación intragrupal de amigos predice angustia psicológica. También, locus de control y apoyo social de compañeros se identificaron como variables mediadoras. Ésta investigación demuestra el impacto negativo de la marginación intragrupal de amigos para los estudiantes Latina/os, además del rol protector de tener un locus de control y apoyo social de compañeros en las experiencias de angustia psicológica. Los resultados también destacan los factores únicos que les afectan a los estudiantes Latina/os en su primer año de estudio como medios para mejorar el éxito en la universidad para los estudiantes Latina/os.