Mexican American Female Adolescents Research Articles

Summative Content Analysis for Understanding of Romantic Relationships Among Rural Mexican American Adolescent Women

An understanding of romantic relationships among adolescent Mexican-American females is lacking yet needed to provide culturally appropriate sexual health interventions. Although explored among other populations, romantic relationships among adolescents in rural settings is under-studied. This study explores romantic relationships for rural Mexican American female adolescents as a component of sexual health promotion. Rural Mexican-American adolescent females (n = 82) aged 14–18 years were recruited via convenience sampling at a rural health clinic. They completed open-ended individual interviews describing romantic relationships. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed using summative content analysis. The majority reported sexual activity (62.2%) of which 23.5% had been pregnant. Summative content analyses identified personal characteristics and relationship characteristics as main categories with eight additional subcategories from responses. Sex was reported as what men wanted from women while physical attractiveness was perceived as important for both genders in development of romantic relationships. They prioritized other relational and personal characteristic such as integrity, and partner treatment of self and others. More obesity was present among those reportedly in romantic relationships. Description of parental roles as a component of romantic relationships was not present. Addressing adolescent romantic relationship with an emphasis on what male and female adolescents want or perceive as expected from relationships, long-term outcomes of relationships and on parental roles may enhance sexual health among rural Mexican-American adolescent populations. This study addresses a gap in literature by exploring romantic relationships for rural Mexican American female adolescents. This understanding of romantic relationships augments existing sexual health programing for these adolescents.

Perceptions of HPV/STI Risk, Knowledge and Vaccine Acceptability Among Mexican-American Adolescent Females Experiencing Sexual Risk Behaviors, Interpersonal Violence and STI

Perceptions of HPV/STI Risk, Knowledge and Vaccine Acceptability Among Mexican-American Adolescent Females Experiencing Sexual Risk Behaviors, Interpersonal Violence and STI

Psychological Distress and Associated Factors Among Mexican American Adolescent Females.

Mental health literacy is a critical component of adolescent health enabling recognition, management, and prevention of psychological distress. Adolescents engaging in risk behaviors and experiencing interpersonal violence, substance use, and pregnancy are at high risk for psychological distress. Secondary analysis of data collected via a control randomized trial among Mexican American females (aged 14-18 years; N = 461) experiencing high-risk sexual behavior, interpersonal violence, and sexually transmitted infection was conducted with comparisons of psychological distress by pregnancy status. At study entry, 46.4% (n = 214) self-reported ever experiencing pregnancy (ever-pregnant) while 53.6% (n = 246) self-reported never experiencing pregnancy (never-pregnant). Adolescents reporting ever-pregnancy status were older and school dropouts. However, adolescents reporting never-pregnancy experienced higher sexual risk behaviors, substance use, interpersonal violence, and psychological distress than those reporting ever-pregnancy. A higher proportion of ever- versus never-pregnant adolescents were born in Mexico and preferred Spanish language indicating less acculturation. Findings support the need for mental health literacy concerning psychological distress with consideration of implications of acculturation among adolescents experiencing high-risk sexual behavior, interpersonal violence, and substance use. More never- than ever-pregnant adolescents were attending school, presenting opportunities for implementation of health promotion strategies within community health settings for mental health literacy.

A Qualitative Study of the Day-to-Day Lives of Obese Mexican-American Adolescent Females

In an effort to develop more effective weight-loss interventions, this study examined the daily experiences and personal struggles of Mexican-American adolescent females with morbid obesity. Twenty self-identified, morbidly obese Mexican-American adolescent females and their families were interviewed about their food choices, personal and family barriers to weight loss, sources of support, previous weight-loss experience, and weight-related beliefs. Qualitative responses were coded by using framework analysis. Four themes emerged from the adolescent and family responses: the impact of normal adolescent development, multiple sources of excess calories, the physical and emotional burden of excess weight for the adolescent, and the magnitude of the family's personal struggle with weight management. Multiple subthemes were also identified. Responses by the adolescents and their families highlighted the intersection of adolescence and Mexican-American culture and the daily challenges of obesity. Recommendations for providers include incorporating knowledge of adolescent development and culturally sensitive care into treatment recommendations.

A Qualitative Study of the Day-to-Day Lives of Obese Mexican-American Adolescent Females

A Qualitative Study of the Day-to-Day Lives of Obese Mexican-American Adolescent Females

Mexican American Female Adolescents’ Perceptions of Relationships and Dating Violence

This study fills a gap regarding the perspectives of Mexican American female adolescents on dating relationships and dating violence (DV). This was a qualitative descriptive study. Focus groups included 20 Mexican American young women, primarily first and second generation, mean age 14.5 years (SD= 2.5). Data were analyzed with categorical analysis. Participants described key components of DV and identified cultural aspects that may serve to promote healthy dating relationships. Family-based interventions to promote exploration of gender roles and parent-child communication may foster biculturalism as well as promote healthy dating relationships and prevent violence within this cultural group. In the United States, 10% to 40% of teens experience DV. Hispanic females experience more physical DV than their White peers.

A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of a Community-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Mexican American Female Adolescents: The Shero's Program

This article describes a quasi-experimental evaluation of a community-based, culturally and ecologically tailored HIV prevention intervention for Mexican American female adolescents grounded in the AIDS risk reduction model. A total of 378 Mexican American female adolescents (mean age = 15.2) participated in either the nine-session SHERO's (a female-gendered version of the word hero) intervention or a single session information-only HIV prevention intervention. Assessment data were collected at pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow up. Significant improvements across all time points were revealed on measures of self-esteem, condom attitudes, beliefs regarding a woman's control of her sexuality, beliefs regarding sexual assault, perceived peer norms, and HIV/AIDS and STI knowledge. At posttest SHERO's participants were more likely to carry condoms and to report abstaining from vaginal sex in the previous 2 months; and at 2-month follow up they reported using condoms more often in the preceding 2 months and planned on using them more frequently in the coming 2 months. Findings support the development of community-based adolescent HIV prevention interventions that address culturally specific ecological factors.

Measuring Violence Risk and Outcomes Among Mexican American Adolescent Females

Central to the development of culturally competent violence prevention programs for Hispanic youth is the development of psychometrically sound violence risk and outcome measures for this population. A study was conducted to determine the psychometric properties of two commonly used violence measures, in this case for Mexican American adolescent females. The Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) and the Past Feelings and Acts of Violence Scale (PFAV) were analyzed to examine their interitem reliability, criterion validity, and discriminant validity. A sample of 150 low-risk and 150 high-risk adolescent females was studied. Discriminant validity was indicated by the perpetrator negotiation scale and by the victim psychological aggression and sexual coercion scales of the CTS2 and the PFAV. Analysis indicates that the CTS2 scales and the PFAV demonstrate adequate reliability, whereas strong criterion validity was evidenced by eight of the CTS2 scales and the PFAV.

Using Snowball-Based Methods in Hidden Populations to Generate a Randomized Community Sample of Gang-Affiliated Adolescents

Snowball-based methods frequently have been used when working with hidden populations whose members are difficult to identify and locate. By the very nature of the processes of these methods, such samples usually are not random or representative, thereby, resulting in selection bias. This study provides a framework on how to generate a randomized community-based sample of Mexican American adolescent females involved with gangs whose understanding merits further examination given their apparent increase in number and degree. Research findings from a more robust sample can accentuate appropriate policy formation as well as prevention and intervention programs aimed at improving the lives of high-risk youth.

Multidimensional self-esteem and alcohol use among Mexican American and White non-Latino adolescents: Concurrent and prospective effects.

Self-esteem was evaluated among Mexican American and White non-Latino adolescents. Three dimensions of self-esteem-(a) self-confidence, (b) competence, and (c) social acceptance-were assessed for concurrent and longitudinal relationships to alcohol use. Various concurrent relationships were found between dimensions of self-esteem and alcohol use. Only 1 prospective effect was found, among Mexican American female adolescents, indicating that prior poor self-confidence predicts higher levels of alcohol use.

Diverse phases of collaboration: working together to improve community-based HIV interventions for adolescents.

Although alliances between community-based organizations (CBOs) and university-based evaluators provide opportunities to enhance community-based interventions, such partnerships may be fraught with challenges and obstacles. This paper focuses on the "story" behind a collaborative partnership between a Latino-focused CBO and a team of university-based evaluators that was formed to evaluate HIV prevention interventions for Mexican American female adolescents and gay/bisexual/questioning (GBQ) Latino male adolescents. A developmental trajectory of the partnership is detailed, with a focus on the creation and enhancement of a reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationship. In tracing this history, the paper explores challenges that were faced and presents ways in which the partnership attempted to overcome obstacles. Recommendations are offered to assist in the formation and maintenance of collaborative partnerships between CBOs and university-based evaluators/researchers.

Intimate Partner Violence Among Hispanic Females

Intimate partner violence poses a major public health and social problem with serious criminal justice, health and social-related consequences. However, little is known about the etiology of intimate partner violence among young people, especially minority youth. Using the Hispanic Stress Inventory, we examine intimate partner violence among Hispanics, particularly Mexican American adolescent females. Understanding and identifying issues related to intimate partner violence is crucial for developing and implementing effective policies and programs encompassing both public health and criminal justice approaches specific to this rapidly growing population of young people.

Career Aspirations of Urban, Mexican American Adolescent Females

The gender distribution of jobs remains vastly disproportionate, especially among minority groups: Women continue to be overrepresented in traditionally femaleoccupied jobs and underrepresented in high-status, high-paying occupations. Literature on gender distribution of careers and factors affecting career choice remains sparse where ethnic minority females are concerned. The present study attempts to fill this gap and focuses on adolescent females from Mexican American backgrounds. Descriptive findings indicate the general male dominance of females’career aspirations. Compared to females aspiring to highly female-dominated careers, females aspiring to highly male-dominated careers were more acculturated, earned higher grade point averages (GPAs) and higher achievement scores in science and social studies, and held higher educational aspirations and expectations, and a greater number of this group evidenced a clear understanding of the steps needed to achieve career goals. Findings are discussed in terms of their contradiction of previous findings and Mexican cultural norms.

The Role of Substance Abuse Among Rural Youth by Race, Culture and Gender

ABSTRACT Analysis of responses of 468 rural Caucasian, African American, Mexican-American, Mexican, and Navajo adolescents to the 10-item Problem-Oriented Screening Instrument (POSIT) showed interesting results among these groups according to race, culture and gender. Compared to the POSIT's minimum mean score for pathology, Navajo adolescent females scored the highest followed by Navajo adolescent males, Caucasian adolescent males, African American adolescent males, African American adolescent females, Mexican adolescent females, Mexican-American adolescent males, Mexican adolescent males, Caucasian adolescent females, and Mexican-American adolescent females. Of the 10 POSIT items, peer relations, substance use/abuse, mental health, educational status and social respectively exceeded the minimum mean score for pathology for the sample overall.

Psychosocial Correlates of Sexual Assault among Mexican American and White Non-Hispanic Adolescent Females

Data were obtainedfrom a nonclinical sample of 1,121 Mexican American and White non-Hispanic adolescent females. Three hundred and three female participants who reported being sexually assaulted were compared to 793females who reported no history of sexual assault on a number of psychosocial characteristics. Male participants were excluded due to small N. White non-Hispanic adolescent females were twice as likely to report sexual assault as Mexican American adolescentfemales. Although rates of sexual assault differed across ethnicity, ethnicity did not influence the relationship between sexual assault and psychosocial characteristics of victims. Results did indicate, however; that sexual assault victims reported more emotional distress, more social isolation and more deviant behavior than nonvictims. Likewise, sexual assault victims reported poorer school adjustment, were more likely to affiliate with deviant peers, and were more likely to come from homes in which there was parental substance use and family conflict.

Mexican American Female Adolescent Self-Esteem: The Effect of Body Image, Exercise Behavior, and Body Fatness

Self-esteem, the evaluative manner in which one judges herself or himself; forms the foundation of emotional well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of Mexican American female adolescents' self-esteem with body image, exercise behavior, and bodyfatness. Two hundredfifty-four subjects, ranging in agefrom 13 to 15 years, were drawn from a predominantly Mexican American population located in the LowerRio Grande Valley region of Texas. Data were gathered through a self-report instrument consisting of self-esteem, body image, and exercise involvement scales and anthropometric measures. Results indicated significant positive relationships between self-esteem and body image and exercise involvement and a significant negative relationship between self-esteem and bodyfatness. Body image,followed by exercise, exerted the strongest explanatory power of subjects'self-esteem scores. Findings suggest that a degree of body distortion exists in female Mexican American adolescents.

Suicide Ideation and Acculturation among Low Socioeconomic Status Mexican American Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Mexican American adolescents' suicide ideation could be predicted from their acculturation levels. A nonclinical sample of 242 Mexican American eighth-grade students completed the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior High School version, the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (modified version), the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted. Although adolescents' acculturation levels did not correlate independently with suicide ideation scores, acculturation did significantly (and positively) predict suicide ideation when combined with depressive symptoms and low self-esteem. Also, Mexican American female adolescents had significantly higher suicide ideation scores and depressive symptoms as well as significantly lower self-esteem than did their male counterparts. Cultural inhibitory variables that possibly decrease Hispanics' suicidal behavior are discussed.

Body image perception in female Mexican-American adolescents.

This study examined the relationship of body image perception to self-esteem, physical activity involvement, and body composition among female Mexican-American adolescents. Subjects (N = 254) ranged in age from 13 to 15 years, mean age 14.4, and were drawn from a predominantly Mexican-American population located in the lower Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. Data were gathered through a self-report survey instrument consisting of body image, self-esteem, and activity involvement scales and anthropometric measures to assess body composition. Results indicated significant positive relationships between body image perception and self-esteem and activity involvement and a significant negative association body image and body fat composition. Self-esteem, followed by body fat composition, exerted the strongest explanatory power of subjects, body image scores. Findings suggest that less body image distortion exists in Mexican-American adolescent females and interventions designed to promote healthy body image emphasize esteem-building and physical activity.

Onset of fertility-related events during adolescence: a prospective comparison of Mexican American and non-Hispanic white females.

Ethnic differences in the first occurrence of fertility-related events are assessed for non-Hispanic White and Mexican American female adolescents. A community-based sample of 1,023 females ages 13 to 19 years was interviewed in 1984-85; 874 (85.4 percent) were reinterviewed approximately two years later. Mexico-born Mexican Americans have the lowest rate of early sexual intercourse, but the highest rate of early births because they are most likely to become pregnant if sexually active, and most likely to have a birth if pregnant. Non-Hispanic Whites have the highest rate of early sexual intercourse, but the lowest rate of early births because pregnant non-Hispanic Whites terminate pregnancies most often. US-born Mexican Americans are intermediate between the other two groups. Delays in the onset of sexual activity among Mexican Americans are not converted into corresponding delays in first pregnancies and births. Early marriage among Mexico-born Mexican Americans, however, accounts for much of the ethnic difference in early fertility.

Participation of Mexican American Female Adolescents in a Longitudinal Panel Survey

The sources of systematic sample attrition are exam- ined for a community-based panel survey of 1,023 Mexican American and non-Hispanic white female adolescents, 874 (85.4%) of whom were reinterviewed after two years. There were few differences between Mexican Americans born in the United States and non-Hispanic whites, but Mexican Americans born in Mexico were distinctively different. The characteristics of the original interview shape the respondent's concurrent attitude to- ward repeating the experience but do not affect directly subse- quent behavior. The results demonstrate that the validity of panel data may be problematic even when indicators of the survey con- tent do not appear to be associated directly with loss to follow-up. Attrition exerted a greater impact upon the external than internal validity of the panel data.