Latino Parents Research Articles

Sibling Support and Perceived Daily Hassles in Latino and Non-Latino Families of Children with DD.

Parents of children with developmental delay (DD) report significantly higher levels of parenting stress compared to parents of children with typical development. There is a heightened need for social support among families of children with DD. Siblings play an important role in these contexts as a supportive resource and primary stress buffer. Little to no research has examined how these stress and supportive processes may differ among Latino and non-Latino parents. The current study examined the relation between sibling support and parents' perceived daily hassles between Latino and non-Latino parents of children with DD (N = 146; 65% Latino; mean parent age = 37.39 years; mean child age = 49.63 months; SD = 7.9). Latinos reported significantly greater use of sibling support and lower perceived daily hassles compared to non-Latino counterparts. In the combined sample, greater sibling support was significantly correlated with lower daily hassles. When examined separately in Latino and non-Latino groups, this correlation only remained significant among Latinos. The interaction between ethnicity and sibling support on perceived daily hassles was approaching significance, such that Latinos who reported high levels of sibling support reported lower perceived daily hassles. Findings emphasize the universal importance of familial support systems for the well-being of parents of children with DD and point to the possible protective role of Latino cultural factors that influence the degree to which these supports are employed. Results may inform culturally sensitive adaptations to parenting interventions for Latino families that harness sibling support to target and buffer parenting stress.

Abstract A127: Factors impacting HPV vaccine initiation among English and Spanish speaking parents of Latino adolescents

Abstract Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers disproportionately impact Latinos. While data for English-speaking (ES) and Spanish-speaking (SS) Latinos is usually aggregated, differences in acculturation, sociodemographic characteristics, and health behaviors make it important to understand the factors impacting HPV vaccination among these groups separately. This understanding is crucial to improving HPV vaccination disparities as COVID-19 vaccinations have exacerbated issues of vaccine hesitancy and medical mistrust. Methods: Self-administered online surveys examining HPV vaccine hesitancy in an urban, diverse community with low HPV vaccine uptake were completed by parents of adolescents (N=357) in English or Spanish. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to understand if medical mistrust, vaccine hesitancy, HPV knowledge, healthcare utilization and sociodemographic factors impact adolescent HPV vaccine uptake among ES and SS parents of Latino adolescents ages 12-17. Factors significant at p<.01 in the bivariate analyses were included in multivariable logistic regression models for each group. Results: 136 parents of adolescents aged 12-17 identified as Latino; 56% completed the survey in English and 44% in Spanish. Bivariate analyses found significant associations between decreased HPV vaccine uptake and male parent/caregiver sex, higher HPV vaccine hesitancy, higher HPV knowledge, male adolescent sex, not receiving the flu vaccine and not receiving a provider recommendation to vaccinate against HPV among ES parents. In SS parents, parents aged 41-50 (compared to <40) and higher medical mistrust were associated with higher HPV vaccination; while male adolescent gender, not receiving TDAP immunization, and not receiving a provider recommendation to vaccinate against HPV were associated with lower HPV vaccine uptake. Multivariable regression models found that adolescents of ES parents were less likely to have initiated the HPV vaccine series if the parent/caregiver was male (OR=0.07, 95% CI:0.03,1.28), had higher HPV knowledge (OR=0.53, 95% CI:0.29,0.96), and did not receive a provider recommendation to vaccinate against HPV (OR=0.12, 95% CI:0.003,0.55). SS parents with higher medical mistrust (OR=7.27, 95% CI:1.14,46.41) and those aged 41-50 compared to parents younger than 40 (OR=18.19, 95% CI:0.28,407.78) were more likely to have adolescents who initiated the HPV vaccine series, while those without a provider recommendation to vaccinate had lower odds of HPV vaccine uptake (OR=0.004, 95% CI:<0.01,0.11). Discussion: Aligned with the literature, provider recommendation to vaccinate against HPV significantly impacted vaccination behavior among ES and SS parents. Interventions should focus on improving provider recommendations and communications with Latino parents of adolescents. More research should explore the surprising associations between higher medical mistrust and higher odds of HPV vaccination among SS parents, and more HPV knowledge and lower odds of HPV vaccination among ES parents. Citation Format: Bibiana Martinez, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Jennifer Tsui. Factors impacting HPV vaccine initiation among English and Spanish speaking parents of Latino adolescents [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A127.

An opportunity to increase human papillomavirus vaccination rates: Change the guidelines

ABSTRACT Given the low rates of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiation and timely series completion in 11- and 12-year old children, we sought to assess potential opportunities for initiating routine vaccination at a younger age. A cross-sectional study of Latino parents of HPV vaccine-eligible 9- or 10-year–old children in New York City assessed whether there were opportunities to discuss the HPV vaccine during their most recent primary care provider (PCP) visit. Parents were approached between November, 2016 and January, 2018. Of 86 parents who participated, 97% reported having visited the child’s PCP in the previous year for an annual checkup and 85% reported that they had neither discussed the HPV vaccine nor received a recommendation for the vaccine during that visit. In a population of Latino parents, predominantly Mexican immigrants with less than a high school education and limited English proficiency, most 9- to 10-year–old children followed the recommendation for an annual PCP visit. Lowering the recommended age for routine vaccination with the HPV vaccine to 9 − 10 years of age should be considered as an important strategy to increase HPV vaccination rates in this and other populations.

Correctional English as a second language literacy for male Latino parents

AbstractThis qualitative study examines Latino Spanish‐speaking inmates' participation in an English literacy project. The research questions were: What is the impact of the project on the participants’ literacy development? How does a Latino literacy project for Spanish‐speaking inmates facilitate parent engagement? Data collection included qualitative questionnaires, participant journal entries, attendance sheets, field notes, and interviews with male inmate parents. This study provides adult educators working with inmates a closer look at the impact of culturally relevant programs and supports the need to offer diverse programs for Spanish‐speaking inmates.

Immigrant Latino Parents’ Experiences and Participation in the Special Education Process

This study examined the experiences of first-generation immigrant Latino parents of children with disabilities while navigating the special education system and how those experiences influenced their participation in the special education process. A researcher-created survey was used to collect data. Quantitative data were examined using descriptive and inferential statistics. Additional comments provided by participants were analyzed for patterns and themes. Although half of the participants had emerging English language skills, they communicated and often collaborated with school personnel. Most participants trusted professionals, had a positive perception of school personnel, and disagreed with statements suggesting that teachers knew best about their children’s needs. Participation in the special education process was influenced by the children’s disability and the parents’ knowledge of the American education system, among other factors.

How providing a low-cost water filter pitcher led Latino parents to reduce sugar-sweetened beverages and increase their water intake: explanatory qualitative results from the Water Up!@Home intervention trial.

This study sought to explain results of the Water Up!@Home randomised controlled trial where low-income parents were randomised to receive an educational intervention +a low-cost water filter pitcher or only the filter. Parents in both groups had reported statistically significant reductions in sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and increases in water intake post-intervention. Qualitative explanatory in-depth interviews analysed thematically and deductively. Washington, DC metropolitan area, USA. Low-income Latino parents of infants/toddlers who had participated in the Water Up! @Home randomised controlled trial. The filter-stimulated water consumption in both groups by (1) increasing parents' perception of water safety; (2) acting as a cue to action to drink water; (3) improving the flavour of water (which was linked to perceptions of safety) and (4) increasing the perception that this option was more economical than purchasing bottled water. Safe and palatable drinking water was more accessible and freely available in their homes; participants felt they did not need to ration their water consumption as before. Only intervention participants were able to describe a reduction in SSB intake and described strategies, skills and knowledge gained to reduce SSB intake. Among the comparison group, there was no thematic consensus about changes in SSB or any strategies or skills to reduce SSB intake. A low-cost water filter facilitated water consumption, which actively (or passively for comparison group) displaced SSB consumption. The findings have implications for understanding and addressing the role of water security on SSB consumption.

Exploring Latino Perspectives in Childhood Fever: Beliefs, Practices, and Needs.

Latino parents have significant knowledge gaps and misconceptions about fever. In this study, we explored Latino beliefs and practices around fever and its impact on their care decisions. A qualitative-focused ethnography was conducted with 21 Latino parents. Semi-structured interviews were completed, and inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes. Three major themes emerged: (a) the meaning of fever; (b) seeking guidance; and (c) navigating fever. Subthemes included: a sign of folk illness, a sign of infection, trust in health care providers, watchful waiting, and barriers and needs. Latino parents have significant knowledge gaps about the role of fever in illness. They engage multiple systems of care but rarely share their fears with health care providers. Culturally-sensitive interventions incorporating traditional and biomedical approaches are needed. Findings can help inform future interventions targeting knowledge gaps in this population.

Research brief explores MH disorders among Hispanic parents

More than one‐third of Latino parents have experienced a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, a rate lower than among non‐Hispanic parents, according to a new brief from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families. Researchers also found that the prevalence of the disorders varies among Latino subgroups.

Comparing individually based and family-based treatments for internalizing, externalizing, and family symptoms in Latino youth.

Rigorous randomized trials that test promising culturally centered treatments for Latino youth and families are needed. This study adds to the knowledge base by comparing the efficacy of Culturally Informed and Flexible Family Treatment for Adolescents (CIFFTA) to an Individually Oriented Treatment-As-Usual (ITAU) in its ability to retain Latino youth and families in treatment, reduce internalizing and externalizing child symptoms, and improve family functioning. CIFFTA uses an adaptive/flexible approach to deliver individual therapy, family therapy, and psycho-educational modules tailored to each family's unique clinical and cultural characteristics. Two hundred Latino adolescents 11-14years of age completed a baseline assessment, were randomly assigned to CIFFTA or ITAU, then were assessed again after 16weeks of intervention. Results show that CIFFTA had significantly higher retention (83%) than ITAU (71%), OR=2.05, p=.036. Youth in both conditions showed significant reductions in youth and parent reported externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and there were no differences in change between conditions. Parents in CIFFTA reported significantly greater reductions in family conflict, d=0.38, p=.025 than in ITAU. In CIFFTA, children of less acculturated Latino parents showed more improvement than the children of more acculturated parents. In ITAU, the reverse was true, children of more acculturated parents reported more improvement. This evidence of CIFFTA's impact on retention, family conflict, and differential effect depending on cultural values and behaviors, has important implications for the field of Latino psychology and family treatment.

Latino kindergarteners' math growth, approaches to learning, and home numeracy practices

There is limited research on the relation between approaches to learning (ATL) and Latino kindergarteners' math development, and mixed results regarding the role of Latino home numeracy practices. This study examined the associations among Latino kindergarteners' ATL, home numeracy practices, and growth in math skills. Participants were 151 low-income Latino parents and their children (M age = 67 months; 52% female). In early fall (beginning of kindergarten), parents completed a home numeracy survey and children's ATL were assessed. At three time points during the kindergarten year (early and late fall, and spring), children's math skills were assessed. Positive linear growth in Latino kindergarteners' math skills was observed. Latino kindergarteners' ATL positively related to variation in math skills, but not growth. Home numeracy practices did not relate to math skills. Findings highlight the unique role that ATL might play as an ecocultural asset that supports Latino kindergarteners' math development.

Gathering around the table: Negotiating family mealtime patterns among Latino families

AbstractObjectiveWith increasing obesity prevalence among Latino families, it is imperative to understand mealtime dynamics and how to support families in healthier mealtime routines.BackgroundFamily mealtimes are an important context for negotiating and making decisions about what and how much to eat and learning dietary behaviors. Yet little research exists on how Latino parents make those decisions.MethodsAddressing current gaps in the literature, we conducted three focus groups with 19 low‐income Latina mothers of children who ranged from elementary to high school age. We explored mothers' family mealtime experiences in their home country and in the United States, barriers to shared mealtimes, and knowledge of appropriate portion sizes.ResultsSeveral key findings emerged: (a) Latina mothers recollect sharing family mealtimes more in their home countries than in the United States, (b) work schedules make it difficult to engage in family mealtimes, (c) uncertainty about correct portion sizes and child influence lead mothers to give in to their children's preferences.Conclusion and ImplicationsThese findings add to the substantive discussion concerning changes in family mealtimes across borders, continued barriers that families encounter to shared mealtimes, and how knowledge of portion sizes influences mother's beliefs and food choices, ultimately impacting the type of foods children consume.

Peer-support intervention for African American and Latino parents to improve the glycemic control trajectory among school-aged children with type 1 diabetes: A pilot and feasibility protocol

BackgroundType 1 diabetes (T1D) is a common, chronic pediatric health condition with complicated management demands. African American and Latino children with T1D have troubling disparities in glycemic outcomes and acute complications. While there are empirically supported behavioral interventions to support disease management in youth with T1D, there are few that specifically aim to reduce health disparities in this population. While collaborative parent involvement with the child with T1D management tasks is important to promote optimal glycemic outcomes during childhood, our formative research identified multiple individual, family, and broader system factors that impede or facilitate collaborative parental involvement among African American and Latino parents of children with T1D.MethodsThis paper describes the development, design, and study protocol for the Type 1 Diabetes Empowerment And Management (TEAM) pilot trial. The TEAM intervention is a novel, group-based behavioral intervention designed to enhance collaborative involvement in T1D management for African American and Latino parents of children aged 5–10. This randomized pilot trial's primary aim is to evaluate the TEAM intervention's feasibility and acceptability. The secondary aim is to examine preliminary intervention outcomes (i.e., children's HbA1c, treatment adherence, collaborative parent involvement in T1D management, parent/child quality of life, and parent's diabetes-related distress, depressive symptoms, and self-efficacy) compared to usual T1D care.DiscussionThe trial will provide preliminary information about whether optimizing appropriate parent involvement during the school-age years may increase T1D treatment adherence and stabilize or improve glycemic control in African American and Latino school-aged children.

Riesgo Y Resiliencia: Exploring the Role of Parenting Stress and Self-efficacy on Young Latino Children’s Well-being and Home Learning Experiences during COVID-19

ABSTRACT The current study explored the associations between parenting stress and p\\arental self-efficacy on children’s social-emotional functioning and home learning practices among Latino families. Families were recruited as part of a pilot study of a parent-focused school readiness intervention that was conducted via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was comprised of children (Mage = 3.02 years; 64% male) enrolled in Early Head Start, and their parents (97% biological mothers). At baseline, parents reported on family demography, parenting stress, involvement in home learning activities (i.e., literacy and math), their self-efficacy in managing a range of situations related to raising young children, and children’s social-emotional functioning. Study findings indicated that parenting stress was negatively associated with parent’s home literacy involvement, but not with home math involvement. Results also indicated that parental self-efficacy moderated the relationship between parenting stress and children’s social-emotional functioning, specifically externalizing and internalizing problems. Lastly, results indicated a positive association between parenting stress and children’s adaptive skills. Findings from the current study help elucidate our understanding of the psychological well-being of young Latino children and families during COVID-19, and will potentially inform future efforts aimed at supporting Latino parents’ well-being and children’s early learning experiences during a global health crisis.

Validating the Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale with English and Spanish Speaking Latino Parents of Adolescents.

Medical mistrust can be a barrier to health care utilization. While the Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale (GBMMS) has been validated among diverse populations, we know little about its psychometric performance among English-Speaking (ES) and Spanish-Speaking (SS) Latinos. We aim to examine the factor structure of GBMMS among Latino parents and explore whether scale latent factor structures would be different across preferred languages. Parents of adolescents participating in an urban academic enrichment program for low-income students completed an online survey as part of a cross-sectional study about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) prevention. We tested the validity of the GBMMS in ES and SS respondents and performed exploratory factor analysis to identify latent factors. We examined scale scores, item means, item endorsement, and residual variance across language groups. 2-factor latent structure was identified for both ES and SS groups; factors were labeled as 'Suspicion' and 'System-wide discrimination.' Scale validity was better among SS (α = 0.76). Medical mistrust scores did not vary across language groups, but variation emerged in item endorsement by language. Our results suggest that the factor structures of the medical mistrust construct, measured by the GBMMS, are similar across ES and SS Latinos and that the GBMMS is valid for both populations. High factor pattern loading reflects a shared mistrust of how health care systems view and treat people of their racial/ethnic background, independent of their preferred languages. Measurement of medical mistrust and identifying its underlying causes are needed within diverse populations to fully address structural- and community-level influences on health inequities.

Latino Parents' Perspectives on the Life Trajectories of Mixed-Status Children.

Many immigrant Latino families have one or more U.S. -born children and at least one foreign-born non-citizen child. Contextual theories of human development would argue that these siblings would have very different life trajectories by virtue of their citizenship status or lack thereof. However, researchers and policy-makers know very little about the home environment of mixed-status siblings. Using data from in-depth personal interviews, this study examined parental perceptions of the life trajectories of mixed-status youth. Participants were 18 parents with at least one adolescent between the ages of 10–18 residing at home. Using grounded theory, two broad themes emerged. First, parental perceptions of children’s life trajectories based on citizenship and parental concerns’ regarding their children’s mixed legal status. Within this first theme, parents discussed youth’s educational opportunities, job prospects, health care access, and travel restrictions. The second theme was parental concerns’ about their children’s citizenship status; ambivalence about migrating to the United States; and coping with fear and anxiety. Results of this study highlight the pervasive influence of immigration policies and practices on family dynamics and child development, the risk they posit to youth development and individual family resilience.

How time in the US and race/ethnicity shape food parenting practices and child diet quality

Childhood obesity prevalence is high among children from immigrant/refugee households who live in high-income countries. Poor child dietary intake is a critical risk factor for elevated obesity prevalence and food parenting practices have been found to be associated with child dietary intake and eating behaviors. The main aim of this study was to examine the associations between migrants'/refugees' food parenting practices, the length of residence time in the US, race/ethnicity, and child diet quality. The current study included 577 families from three racial/ethnic groups that include mostly foreign-born parents (Latino, Hmong, and Somali/Ethiopian), and a comparison group of 239 non-Hispanic White families. Results showed that for Latino and Hmong parents, some food parenting practices varied by how long they had lived in the US. For example, more recently moved parents engaged in more non-directive (e.g., avoid buying sweets) practices compared with US-born parents. In contrast, Somali/Ethiopian parents engaged in different food parenting practices than White parents, regardless of time in the US. Results also showed that diet quality among Hmong children was lower if their parents were US-born compared to foreign-born. Future researchers may want to consider studying why some food parenting practices change when parents move to the US and explore whether there is a combination of food parenting practices that are most useful in promoting a healthful child's diet and weight among immigrant and refugee families.

Ecological Momentary Assessment of Weight-Related Behaviors in the Home Environment of Children From Low-Income and Racially and Ethnically Diverse Households: Development and Usability Study.

BackgroundEcological momentary assessment (EMA) is an innovative tool for capturing in-the-moment health behaviors as people go about their daily lives. EMA is an ideal tool to measure weight-related behaviors, such as parental feeding practices, stress, and dietary intake, as these occur on a daily basis and vary across time and context. A recent systematic review recommended standardized reporting of EMA design for studies that address weight-related behaviors.ObjectiveTo answer the call for reporting study designs using EMA, this paper describes in detail the EMA design of the Family Matters study and how it was adapted over time to improve functionality and meet the needs of a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse sample.MethodsFamily Matters is an incremental, 2-phased, mixed methods study, conducted with a racially and ethnically diverse, immigrant and refugee sample from largely low-income households, designed to examine risk and protective factors for child weight and weight-related behaviors in the home environment. The Family Matters study intentionally recruited White, Black, Hmong, Latino, Native American, and Somali parents with young children. Parents in phase 1 of the study completed 8 days of EMA on their smartphones, which included signal-contingent surveys (eg, asking about the parent’s stress at the time of the survey), event-contingent surveys (eg, descriptions of the meal the child ate), and end-of-day surveys (eg, overall assessment of the child’s day).ResultsA detailed description of EMA strategies, protocols, and methods used in phase 1 of the Family Matters study is provided. Compliance with EMA surveys and participants’ time spent completing EMA surveys are presented and stratified by race and ethnicity. In addition, lessons learned while conducting phase 1 EMA are shared to document how EMA methods were improved and expanded upon for phase 2 of the Family Matters study.ConclusionsThe results from this study provided an important next step in identifying best practices for EMA use in assessing weight-related behaviors in the home environment.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/30525

Promoting Strong Latino Families Within an Emerging Immigration Context: Results of a Replication and Extension Trial of a Culturally Adapted Preventive Intervention.

We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Nuestras Familias: Andando Entre Culturas, a culturally adapted evidence-based parent management training (PMT) preventive intervention, with a sample of 241 Spanish-speaking Latino parents and their middle-school-aged children residing in an emerging immigration context. Scientifically rigorous studies of programs designed for this setting are rare. The intervention was designed to promote prosocial parenting practices and to prevent youth substance use and related problem behaviors. The RCT was designed as an extension and replication of a prior trial (Martinez & Eddy in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 841-851, 2005) which was also conducted in an emerging immigration context. Two key issues were of primary interest: intervention feasibility and intervention efficacy. Intervention feasibility was assessed through weekly session attendance, participation, and parent-reported session satisfaction as well as overall program satisfaction. Intervention efficacy was assessed by comparing changes within the intervention and control groups on parenting practices and youth adjustment from pre-intervention baseline to post-intervention termination 6months later. Results provided support for the feasibility of delivering the intervention on a large scale within communities. Consistent with the prior trial, positive effects of the intervention were detected on parenting practices and on youth outcomes. Differential effects of the intervention were detected based on youth gender and nativity status, such that girls benefited the most with respect to tobacco use likelihood, and foreign-born youth benefited the most with respect to decreased depressive symptoms.Findings provide additional evidence for Nuestras Familias as an efficacious family-based intervention for Latino families within communities that are sites of emerging immigration in terms of both improving parenting practices and decreasing risk for youth substance use and related problem behaviors.

Rural Latino parent and child physical activity patterns: family environment matters

BackgroundRural Latino children and adults are less active than urban and non-Latino counterparts. We examined physical activity (PA) patterns of rural Latino children and their parents, and explored parental beliefs about and reported barriers of Latino family physical activity. Latino families in a rural area in eastern Washington state, with children in grades 3–5 were included.MethodsWe used mixed methods. Children (n = 27) and parents (n = 25) wore an accelerometer for 5 days; parents (n = 31) participated in a semi-structured interview and completed a demographic survey. Parent and child activity levels were compared using paired t-tests; interviews were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.ResultsAlthough 100% children and 46% parents met physical activity guidelines, parents and children spent most of the day in sedentary behaviors. Parent-reported PA barriers included their long work hours, lack of transportation, and their child’s screen-time.ConclusionAddressing barriers and reducing sedentary time could increase PA of rural Latino families.

Information and Communication Technology Access and Use Among Low-Income Latino Immigrant Parents.

Development of mHealth interventions to address health disparities for Latino children in immigrant families requires understanding access to and use of information and communication technology. We examined access to information and communication technology and use of common applications/programs by low-income immigrant Latino parents of infants to inform development of mHealth interventions for this population. Latino immigrant parents reported technology use and access of common applications/software via survey. Of the 157 participants, we found nearly all parents owned a smartphone and that 60% accessed the internet only via their smartphone. Around one-quarter of participants had access to unlimited data. Frequent use of text messaging was common, but frequent email use was less common. Less than 10% of participants frequently used health-oriented applications. Our findings suggest that mHealth interventions that use data, email, or an application interface may not have the intended reach or effectiveness among low-income immigrant Latino parents. Consideration of these findings is important in guiding the development of future mHealth programs for the low-income Latino population. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02647814).