Research Paper Summaries
In-depth Studies and Scholarly Contributions by Dr. Su Yeong Kim
Perceived Parenting Discrepancy Profiles, Feelings about Language Brokering, and Internalizing Symptoms among Mexican-Origin Adolescents in Immigrant Families
Summary: This research, conducted by Han Wen, Katharine H. Zeiders, and Lindsay T. Hoyt, delves into how various sociocultural stressors like foreigner stress, language brokering stress, and economic stress impact the psychological well-being of Mexican-origin adolescents. The study specifically looks at whether conflicts between mothers and their adolescent children play a role in how these stressors relate to internalizing symptoms (such as anxiety and depression) and externalizing behaviors (like aggression and rule-breaking). Using longitudinal data from 604 adolescents and their mothers in Mexican-origin families across the southwestern U.S., the researchers apply Family Systems Theory to better understand how stress operates within family dynamics. At the first point of data collection, adolescents shared their experiences with sociocultural stress and conflicts with their mothers, while their mental health symptoms were evaluated a year later. The findings reveal that both foreigner stress and economic stress are significantly linked to increased mother-adolescent conflict, which is associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Language brokering stress also correlated positively with mother-adolescent conflict, although its indirect impact on adolescent adjustment was less pronounced. Notably, mother-adolescent conflict was found to partially mediate the relationship between each type of sociocultural stressor and the mental health outcomes of adolescents. This study emphasizes the critical role of family dynamics in understanding how sociocultural stress affects the adjustment of youth in immigrant families. By pinpointing mother-adolescent conflict as a significant factor, the research advocates for family-centered interventions aimed at strengthening parent-child relationships and addressing the unique challenges faced by Mexican-origin adolescents. It contributes to the fields of developmental and cultural psychology by illustrating that sociocultural stressors not only weigh heavily on individuals but also disrupt vital family connections, increasing the risk of negative mental health outcomes.
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