Location
Schroeder Complex Room 112
Start Date
26-3-2010 10:30 AM
Document Type
Event
End Date
26-3-2010 11:00 AM
Abstract
Researchers’ focused examination of Latino adolescents’ cultural values and sexual activity has yielded questions regarding the cultural- and gender-specific attitudes and practices of these youth (Deardorff, Tschann, & Flores, 2008). Cultural values include family-related variables such as different aspects of familism, parent-adolescent communication, and parental monitoring, which have been found to decrease adolescents’ engagement in other negative activities such as aggressive behavior, (Dishion & McMahon, 1998), substance use (Estrada, Rabow, & Watts, 1982), and delinquency (Clark & Shields, 1997). Research investigating these risk behaviors has often implicated Latino adolescents’ level of assimilation to White, mainstream society as a potential risk factor for higher engagement in negative behaviors. This dissertation study, therefore, will examine the relationship between five Latino family variables (i.e., attitudinal familism, behavioral familism, structural familism, parent-adolescent communication, and parental monitoring), assimilation to White society, and the sexual activity of Latino adolescents. A mixed-methods project has been designed to explore and test the relationships between these variables. Focus groups will be conducted with adolescents on the topics of family, gender, and sexual activity; data will be analyzed using Grounded Theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Latino youth will also complete surveys about these topics; the relationships among these variables will be explored statistically. For the purposes of the Research Exchange, a description of the current stage of the project at that time, a discussion of the anticipated results of the study, and an explanation of the contributions of this study to the Milwaukee and psychological communities will be included.
Included in
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Psychological Phenomena and Processes Commons
Latino Family Variables and Sexual Activity in Latino Adolescents
Schroeder Complex Room 112
Researchers’ focused examination of Latino adolescents’ cultural values and sexual activity has yielded questions regarding the cultural- and gender-specific attitudes and practices of these youth (Deardorff, Tschann, & Flores, 2008). Cultural values include family-related variables such as different aspects of familism, parent-adolescent communication, and parental monitoring, which have been found to decrease adolescents’ engagement in other negative activities such as aggressive behavior, (Dishion & McMahon, 1998), substance use (Estrada, Rabow, & Watts, 1982), and delinquency (Clark & Shields, 1997). Research investigating these risk behaviors has often implicated Latino adolescents’ level of assimilation to White, mainstream society as a potential risk factor for higher engagement in negative behaviors. This dissertation study, therefore, will examine the relationship between five Latino family variables (i.e., attitudinal familism, behavioral familism, structural familism, parent-adolescent communication, and parental monitoring), assimilation to White society, and the sexual activity of Latino adolescents. A mixed-methods project has been designed to explore and test the relationships between these variables. Focus groups will be conducted with adolescents on the topics of family, gender, and sexual activity; data will be analyzed using Grounded Theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Latino youth will also complete surveys about these topics; the relationships among these variables will be explored statistically. For the purposes of the Research Exchange, a description of the current stage of the project at that time, a discussion of the anticipated results of the study, and an explanation of the contributions of this study to the Milwaukee and psychological communities will be included.