The current study investigated the combined influence of racial discrimination experiences and school Latine concentration on 7th-to-10th-grade changes in ethnic-racial identity (ERI; affirmation, exploration, resolution) for a community-recruited, southwestern sample of United States (U.S.) Mexican-heritage adolescents. Whether school Latine concentration moderated associations between racial discrimination and ERI was also assessed. Youth ( = 749; 7th: = 12.80; 10th: = 15.84; 48.9% female) self-reported experiences of peer and teacher racial discrimination in school settings in 7th grade and their ERI affirmation, exploration, and resolution in 7th and 10th grades. School Latine concentration data were publicly available. Across the transition to high school (7 to 10 grades), findings indicated that peer racial discrimination predicted increased exploration and resolution, and school Latine concentration predicted increased exploration. No associations were found with teacher racial discrimination and school Latine concentration was not a significant moderator. For U.S. Mexican-heritage youth, exposure to peer racial discrimination and greater access to co-ethnic peers in middle school may encourage the exploration of ethnicity-race, with peer racial discrimination also prompting a more resolved ERI. Findings help elucidate the role of school settings and experiences on ERI formation among the fastest-growing youth population in the U.S.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) present in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are related to mortality. Research on the relationship between NPS and mortality in a non-dementia population is limited. This study examines NPS as a predictor of six-year mortality among community dwelling Mexican Americans aged 80 years and older. Data included 466 cognitively normal participants from Wave 7 of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of Elderly. NPS were measured using the Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of mortality. The HR of death at 6 years was 1.02 (95% Confidence Interval-CI [1.00, 1.04]) as a function of NPI score and 1.09 (95% CI [1.02, 1.17]) for the number of NPI conditions, controlling for demographic and health characteristics. Apathy, irritability, and aberrant motor behavior were all independently predictors of mortality. NPS may be modifiable risk factors to increase survival time or may be indicative of underlying health problems. NPS may be related to underlying health conditions among older adults with normal cognitive functioning.

To examine the psychometric properties of several wellbeing scales among Latinos in the US, most of which have never been validated in a US-Latino population.

Mental health disparities among Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) are exacerbated by un(der)treated mental health needs. This study sought to establish the factor structure of the Cultural Attitudes Toward Healthcare and Mental Illness Questionnaire (CAHMIQ) and examine measurement invariance across nativity (born in vs. outside the continental U.S.). Participants included 290 LSMM in South Florida. Confirmatory factor analysis examined the factor structure of CAHMIQ and measurement invariance examined equivalence across LSMM born outside (51.4%) and inside (48.3%) the continental U.S. The second-order factor model showed an acceptable fit (CFI/RMSEA = .91/.03) and consisted of first-ordered factors representing manifest indicators of causes and supports for mental health. Measurement invariance results suggest that the CAHMIQ performs equivalently across nativity groups (Δχ(18) = 16.941, = .5272). The CAHMIQ may be used among both nativity groups to understand attitudes toward healthcare and mental illness and inform LSMMs' engagement in mental health treatment.

Acquiescent (ARS) and extreme response styles (ERS) can have detrimental effects on survey data and, for unknown reasons, are more frequently used by Latino than non-Latino white respondents. This exploratory study examined the influence of culture on these response styles by investigating their associations with individual-level cultural factors and ARS and ERS among 1,296 Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban American telephone survey respondents. Principal components representing stronger endorsement of / and social attentiveness (, , respect for elders, value for sincerity, collectivism, individualism) were associated with higher ARS and ERS, while higher trust in strangers and more limited health literacy were associated with lower ERS. Findings from this study will enable survey designers to better anticipate ARS and ERS in surveys with Latino populations and, in turn, guide the selection of data collection and analysis methods to mitigate measurement error in the presence of these response styles.

Latino parents have lower levels of school involvement compared to other ethnic groups, which is often attributed-though not tested-to low English language proficiency. Using a population-based sample of 637 7th grade Latino youth attending an urban school district, we find no significant difference in maternal school involvement when mothers and students are either both fluent in English or both non-fluent. When students are more fluent than their mothers, however, maternal school involvement is significantly lower, suggesting that schools may need to take additional steps to encourage parental involvement when there is language dissonance between parents and their children.

We systematically reviewed studies reporting the use of the Children's Depression Inventory-2 (CDI-2) in samples with at least 30 children and significant Hispanics enrollment (≥ 14.5% of the sample and at least 20 Hispanics completing the scale). We grouped studies by form (short or full-length) and language used, developmental stage, report of psychometric data (particularly for Hispanics), and other characteristics. From 252 full-texts revised, 22 met selection criteria. Six reported psychometric data for Hispanics, either for the English full-length (α = .86 to .92) and short form (α = .76 to .81) or for the Spanish short form (α = .69 to .80). Criterion-related validity was supported via correlation/regression or comparing group means, but not using another depression self-report scale. Current knowledge on the CDI-2 psychometrics among Hispanics is mostly based on studies with the English-language version. No study has reported the psychometrics of the full-length Spanish-language CDI-2 with Hispanics.

Foreign-born Latino/a immigrants currently make up 12.9% of the total U.S. population. Latino/a immigrants continue to be exposed to widespread health and mental health care disparities. Scholarship focused on the needs of Latino/a immigrants continues to be characterized by multiple gaps. Latino/a immigrants and their families, particularly those with low family annual incomes, are exposed to multiple types of immigration-related stress. However, little is known about how immigration-related stress impacts couples. The objective of this investigation was to examine the interrelationship among acculturation and immigration-related stress as reported by a group of Latino/a immigrant parents who participated in a cultural adaptation parenting study. Data were provided by 78 two-parent families. The statistical approach consisted of latent growth curve analyses to examine rates of change over time. Findings indicated a potential protective role of biculturalism among Latino/a immigrant couples. Research, clinical, and policy implications are discussed.

The purpose of this review is to propose a conceptual framework using objectification theory and intersectionality theory to examine social media's influence on body image and its effect on eating disorder predictors among Latina adolescents. To examine and explore how these effects from social media usage can result in mental health disparities that affect this group, emphasis was placed on how Latina ethnic identity mediates body image. Implications for clinicians and researchers include using strengths-based and culturally specific approaches as protective factors for Latina adolescents to strengthen ethnic identity.

The Social Support for Exercise Subscales are commonly used among Hispanic populations. The aims of this study were to test the validity and reliability of the Spanish-language version of the Social Support for Exercise Subscales, and test the invariance of the Spanish- and English-language versions. Data were from a subsample of Hispanic adults in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (n=1,447). A series of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models were used to assess the validity and reliability of the Spanish-language version of the subscales. A multi group CFA approach was used to test measurement invariance. Results indicated the Spanish-language versions of family and friend support subscales had good validity and reliability (RMSEA<.07, CFI>0.95, TLI>0.94, and SRMR<0.05). There was also evidence of measurement invariance between the Spanish- and English-language versions. These findings indicate the Spanish-language family and friend support subscales are valid and can be compared between Spanish- and English-language Hispanic respondents.

may have a broad influence on the well-being of U.S. Latinos by shaping social networks, and, in turn, access to information and resources. However, research on is currently constrained by the lack of a psychometrically sound measure of this cultural construct. This research used a mixed methods approach to develop a scale across three studies: a cognitive interviewing study with Mexican American adults (n=33); a cognitive interviewing study with non-Latino white, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban American adults (n=61); and a psychometric telephone survey with Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban American adults (n=1,296). The final, 12-item scale had high internal consistency reliability and appears to be appropriate for use with Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban American adults. Significant differences emerged across Latino subgroups, with higher observed among Cuban Americans and female respondents, providing empirical evidence of cultural heterogeneity among U.S. Latino populations.

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the God Locus of Health Control scale, a measure of the extent to which an individual believes God has control over one's health, among a sample of churchgoing Latinas ( = 398). Confirmatory factor analysis showed support for a one-factor structure and internal consistency reliability, as measured by Cronbach's coefficient alpha, was good. Evidence for convergent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations in the expected magnitudes and directions with two measures of perceived religious involvement in health. These results suggest that the God Locus of Health Control scale can be used to examine the extent to which God is perceived to control an individual's health among Latinas.

The purpose of this study was to describe the longitudinal trajectories of risk for serious violent behaviors among Latinos of different ancestry in the United States and to examine the impact of neighborhood perceptions, socioeconomic status (SES), and racial/ethnic and immigrant concentration during adolescence in long-term risk. Guided by sociological theories and life-course frameworks, we utilized data from Mexican ( = 755), Cuban ( = 182), Puerto Rican ( = 219), and other Latino ( = 289) respondents who participated in all waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Stratified, weighted, multilevel growth curve models were conducted in Stata 14 MP to determine unadjusted and adjusted trajectories between 13 and 32 years of age for each ancestry group by sex. Violent behaviors decreased over time, and were lower among females of all groups. Puerto Ricans and Cubans had higher risk than Mexicans or other Latinos. Neighborhood factors did not have consistent effects across groups. Neighborhood satisfaction reduced risk among most groups, while social cohesion increased violent behaviors among Mexicans. Neighborhood economic well-being (SES) and proportion of non-Latino Whites had no impact among any group. Living in predominantly Black neighborhoods during adolescence reduced the risk into adulthood among Puerto Ricans, but increased it among other Latinos. Higher neighborhood immigrant concentration was related to higher risk among other Latinos. Initial and long-term risk for violent behaviors differed across Latino ancestry, with slower decreases among Puerto Ricans and Cubans. The impact of neighborhood perceptions, SES, and racial/ethnic and immigrant composition was inconsistent.

Different patterns of heavy drinking occur by country and proximity to the U.S. Mexico border. Few studies describe the impact of violence on drinking between countries and along the border.

Three groups of children from Mexico and Central America are vulnerable to effects of US immigration policies: 1) foreign-born children who entered the US with undocumented immigrant parents; 2) unaccompanied children who entered the US alone; and 3) U.S.-born citizen children of undocumented immigrant parents. Despite the recent demographic growth of these youth, scholarship on their strengths and challenges is under-theorized and isolated within specific disciplines. Hence, service providers, researchers, and policymakers have insufficient research to inform their efforts to support the children's wellbeing. A group of scholars and service-providers with expertise in immigrant children convened to establish consensus areas and identify gaps in knowledge of undocumented, unaccompanied, and citizen children of undocumented immigrant parents. The primary goal was to establish a research agenda that increases interdisciplinary collaborations, informs clinical practice, and influences policies. This report summarizes key issues and recommendations that emerged from the meeting.

This article describes the development of a framework for the Spanish language adaptation of an evidence-based intervention. A systematic literature search of language adaptation of interventions highlighted most published research focuses on the translation of assessment tools rather than interventions. In response, we developed the Participatory and Iterative Process Framework for Language Adaptation (PIPFLA), a descriptive step-by-step example of how to conduct the language adaptation of an intervention that is grounded in principles of good practice and facilitates transparency of the process. A bilingual team composed of project staff, translators, and two small panels of local community experts-composed of Latino community-based clinicians and Latino immigrant parents-participated in the language adaptation of the intervention. The panels reviewed the translated materials and offered their independent emic perspectives; the intervention represented the etic perspective. Both perspectives informed and were integrated into the 11-step iterative process that comprises the PIPFLA framework.

The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), a screener of psychological distress, in English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans. Hispanic American adults ( = 436) completed the PHQ-4, which yields two subscales (anxiety and depression) that can be summed to create a total score. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate structural validity. The two-factor structure was the best fit to the data for both English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans and items loaded equivalently across groups, demonstrating measurement invariance. Internal consistency reliability was good as measured by coefficient alpha. Construct validity was evidenced by significant expected relationships with perceived stress. These findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the PHQ-4 as a brief measure of psychological distress for English- or Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans.

We examined parental preferences in raising Spanish/English bilingual children. We identified factors influencing their decisions, and the strategies used to promote bilingualism. Focus groups were conducted with Spanish-primary-language parents of children 3 to 7 years old. These groups were audiotaped and transcribed. Three reviewers independently analyzed transcripts for themes using margin-coding and grounded theory; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Thirteen Spanish-primary-language parents participated in two focus groups. The results show that parents wanted their children to be bilingual. Parents also stated that the benefits of bilingualism included better career opportunities, and preservation of culture and native language. Family members, schools, and prior parental experiences influenced the parents' decisions to raise bilingual children. Parents preferred English-only school classes and to teach Spanish at home. Strategies identified for raising bilingual children included reading bilingual books and having children speak only Spanish at home. Schools and pediatricians are used as resources.

This study uncovers which learning (epistemic belief of learning), socio-economic background (level of parental education, family income) or social-personality factors (performance- avoidance goals, test anxiety) mitigate the ethnic gap in SAT scores. Measures assessing achievement motivation, test anxiety, socio-economic family background, and epistemic belief of learning were administered to 143 European-American and 62 Hispanic students. Analysis of covariance revealed that the measures of epistemic belief of learning, performance-avoidance goals, and level of parental education each had a unique influence on combined SAT (SAT-V + SAT-M), SAT-V, and SAT-M scores. Indeed, the statistical removal of these influences resulted in the elimination of 55% to 75% of the effect attributed to ethnic differences in SAT performance. Moreover, even when gender differences were controlled the analysis of covariance revealed the same results. Taken as a whole, these results suggest that multiple factors influence ethnic differences in SAT performance.

This study addresses criminal victimization and contact with police among older Puerto Ricans living in Northeastern United States. Framing their experiences within the context of immigration, we assess the role that acculturation and perceived stress play on Puerto Rican crime and victimization. Data from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS; = 1,504) were analyzed using multiple logistic regressions. The experience of criminal victimization by Puerto Ricans is associated with higher educational attainment, increased perceived stress, and also with psychological acculturation. Contact with police is associated with linguistic, but not psychological, acculturation. Our findings give strength to the argument that exposure to crime and the criminal justice system increases with acculturation and that this argument is relevant to Puerto Ricans. Thus, the association between acculturation, criminal victimization, and police contact depends on the conceptualization of acculturation used. The relationship between stress, acculturation, and crime among Latinos is complex and warrants further assessment.

The goal of the current analysis is to examine relationships between smoking status and anxiety and depression among adults of Mexican heritage to inform the development of culturally relevant smoking cessations efforts. Mexican heritage residents (N=1,791) of the city of Brownsville, TX, aged 18 years or older, enrolled in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, were selected through two stage cluster sampling of randomly selected census tracts from the first and third quartile of SES using Census 2000. Among current smokers, anxiety and depression scores were highest among women who had not completed high school (p<0.05). Former smoking women, but not men, with at least a high school education and former smoking women born in the United States reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than never smoking women. Negative affective states may represent a greater barrier to smoking cessation among women than men.