Ethnic variations in mothers’ and children’s positive and negative emotional expressions toward each other

Abstract

AbstractThis study examined whether ethnicity moderated trajectories of mothers’ and children’s positive and negative emotional expressions, as well as within‐time and lagged associations between these variables. European American and Mexican American mothers’ and children’s emotional expressions toward each other were observed when children were aged 15, 25, and 37 months. Children’s positivity increased at identical rates and maternal positivity predicted subsequent levels of children’s positivity similarly in the two groups. However, Mexican American children’s negative expressivity declined at more pronounced rates than European American children. Also, whereas at 27 months, European American children’s negativity was negatively predicted by previous levels of maternal positivity, at 37 months it was predicted by previous levels of maternal negativity. Mexican American mothers’ emotional expressivity did not predict their children’s negativity. Finally, maternal negativity declined over time only among Mexican Americans. The results are interpreted with reference to ecocultural theory, the Mexican values of simpatía and respeto, the European American value of authenticity, and the fact that cultural differences become more pronounced as children age.