Familism values and Mexican-origin adolescents' disclosure and secrecy with fathers and mothers.

Abstract

The present study examined familism as a central cultural value that may predict Mexican-origin adolescents' disclosure to and secrecy with mothers and fathers. The data came from 246 Mexican-origin adolescents in the southwestern United States (51% female, Mage = 12.8 years, SD = .58, 38% born in Mexico) and their mothers (Mage = 39.0 years; SD = 4.6) and fathers (Mage = 41.7 years; SD = 5.7). Data were collected at two time points over a 2-year period (90% retention). Cross-lagged panel models examined the longitudinal effects of youth familism on disclosure to and secrecy with mothers and fathers. Results indicated that familism served as a promotive factor for youth information management strategies. Differences in the association between familism and youth disclosure were found by youth gender, highlighting the significance of gender in family dynamics among Mexican-origin families. Discussion focuses on how cultural values such as familism may promote resilience among Mexican-origin adolescents by bolstering parent-child relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).