Mexican American Women Research Articles

Characterizing Caregiving Intensity Among Mexican-origin Women Caregivers.

Objective (physical) caregiving burden has not often been associated with subjective (emotional) burden among Mexican-origin women caregivers. Yet, many studies show that Latina caregivers suffer from negative psychological outcomes related to caregiving at a higher rate than non-Latino Whites. This study considered whether self-rated intensity of ADL/IADL support explained the relationship between number of care recipient illnesses and caregiver emotional drain among Mexican American women caregivers. Participants included Mexican-origin women caregivers (n = 132) in East Los Angeles, CA who completed a survey that asked culturally appropriate questions about their experiences caring for elderly relatives. Logistic regression models indicated that ADL/IADL supports ranked as difficult were also chosen as causing emotional drain. Mediation models revealed a significant indirect effect of number of care recipient illnesses on caregiver emotional drain for English-speaking caregivers but not for Spanish-speaking caregivers. These results indicate that Mexican-origin women caregivers do experience subjective burden associated with specific objective ADL/IADL supports and suggest that culturally relevant survey design can assist in better understanding the emotional drain among this population. Cultural values should be considered when discussing aspects of care provision with Mexican-origin women caregivers in order to elicit an accurate description of their informal caregiving experiences that may contribute to caregiver burden.

Multiple domains of stress predict postpartum depressive symptoms in low-income Mexican American women: the moderating effect of social support.

Prenatal stress can have a lasting effect on women's mental health after childbirth. The negative effects may be particularly salient in women from low income and ethnic minority backgrounds, who are at increased risk for postpartum depression. However, social support may have the potential to attenuate the negative impact of stress. The present study evaluated 269 Mexican American women (ages 18-42; 83% Spanish-speaking; median income $10,000-$15,000) for prenatal stress (daily hassles, family stress, partner stress, and culture-specific stress) in relation to depressive symptoms 6weeks postpartum. Prenatal social support was examined as a buffer against the impact of prenatal stress. Partner stress, family stress, and daily hassles uniquely predicted depressive symptoms. Moderate and high levels of social support attenuated risk for depression due to family stressors. Prenatal interpersonal and daily stressors negatively impact the mental health of women after birth, but social support can mitigate some of these effects. Among Mexican American pregnant women, effective interpersonal support and stress management may be associated with reduced risk for postpartum depression.

Sociocultural construction of food ways in low-income Mexican-American women with diabetes: a qualitative study.

The aim of the study was to explore how low-income Hispanic women, with at least 10years of having type 2 diabetes, successfully manage the disease within a sociocultural context, especially in relation to foodways. Managing type 2 diabetes is challenging, particularly for underserved populations such as low-income Hispanic women. This population segment has higher rates of type 2 diabetes, diabetes-related complications, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles than the general U.S. Dietary management is a critical aspect of diabetes care, but it is perhaps the most difficult health behaviour to modify. A qualitative and ethnographically based study was used. Participant observation and individual interviews explored the interrelationships of culture, food habits and type 2 diabetes among 12 low-income Hispanic women residing in an impoverished rural community located on the Texas-Mexico border. Hispanic women used unique strategies to adjust their diet, particularly portion control; for example, they emphasised the 'use of the fork', based on the notion that Hispanic finger foods are less healthy. Women categorised foods as bad or acceptable, depending on the context, such as important family or social gatherings. Those with years of diabetes experience confidently took charge of the disease based on knowledge of their bodies and a desire to avoid complications, while acknowledging brief infractions of dietary 'rules' and balancing various social roles and expectations. Hispanic women manage their type 2 diabetes within a sociocultural environment. Those with expertise make changes in how they eat to care for their diabetes, but also continue to maintain traditional foodways. Foodways are critical to most cultural groups and modifying dietary behaviours can be challenging. Clinicians must develop self-management guidance within the sociocultural context of the patient if diabetes outcomes are to improve and be sustained.

“Get an Education in Case He Leaves You”: Consejos for Mexican American Women PhDs

In this study, Michelle M. Espino uncovers the ways in which twenty-five Mexican American women PhDs made meaning of conflicting messages about the purpose of higher education as they navigated within and through educational structures and shifting familial expectations. Participants received consejos, or nurturing advice, from parents and extended family members that simultaneously promoted educational attainment and raced-gendered heteronormativity as a means of survival within and resistance against cultural and societal constraints. Lessons learned from conflicting consejos later informed how the participants resisted racism and sexism they encountered in their professional careers. Reflecting a Chicana feminist perspective, the findings illustrate the various social, psychological, and cultural locations that participants (re)crossed in conceptualizing Mexican American womanhood in the United States. This study offers an opportunity to explore and interrogate the systems of oppression that affect Mexican American women and their educational advancement and adds to understandings about the complexities and constraints that Mexican American women encounter during their academic life course.

Todos Sacrifican: Immigrant Organizing and the Meanings of (Domestic) Work

Domestic service is one of the few available jobs open to Mexican and Central American immigrant women, individuals who have migrated to the US to escape poverty in their home countries. Economic inequalities between countries are mirrored in a growing split within the US, where immigrant women have become the serving classes that sustain the lifestyles of the (native‐born) professional and managerial workforce. In LA, immigrant women often take up domestic work, remaining in jobs where they do not earn enough and experience daily humiliations. In this paper, I examine two groups that seek to mitigate the most abusive aspects of paid domestic employment in Los Angeles. Although they address significant and enduring issues, neither group is entirely successful. I ask how immigrant domestic workers define themselves, their experiences in the United States, and their jobs—and how these understandings affect the functioning of both groups.

Sexual Coercion in Marriage: Narrative Accounts of Abused Latinas

ABSTRACTCompared to other forms of intimate partner violence (IPV), marital sexual coercion or intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) has been relatively understudied, particularly from the perspective of women of color. Qualitative interviews using snowball sampling documented 10 Mexican-American women’s experiences with partner sexual violence within a cultural context. A phenomenological approach was used and through a thematic analysis, narrative responses of participants were synthesized into meaningful themes. All participants reported sexual coercion and violence in their marriages, yet most did not label those experiences as “rape” despite the threatening context in which some of these incidents occurred. Tacit, but not always explicit, acceptance of machismo, patriarchy, and male dominance were commonly expressed themes possibly increasing IPV risk. Results highlight the complex interaction between upholding cultural values on the one hand, and preserving individual well-being and safety on the ...

Subjective Well-Being in Mexican and Mexican American Women: The Role of Acculturation, Ethnic Identity, Gender Roles, and Perceived Social Support

Latinas experience multiple oppressions and poorer mental health due to their often triple minority status as poor, female, women of color. The present study examined whether identifying with both Mexican culture and the dominant culture (bicultural), having high ethnic identity, identifying with both feminine and masculine behavior (androgynous gender role), and perceiving greater family social support predicted life satisfaction and positive affect in low socioeconomic status, Mexican and Mexican American women (n = 194). Results indicated that greater ethnic identity and greater perceived family social support significantly predicted Mexican and Mexican American women’s life satisfaction. Greater ethnic identity, greater feminine gender identity, greater androgynous gender identity, and greater perceived family social support were significant predictors of positive affect. Furthermore, as expected, social support from family was the most significant predictor for both life satisfaction and positive affect. Implications of the results and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Abdominal Wall Defects among Mexican American Infants: The Effect of Maternal Nativity.

US-born Mexican American women have greater rates of preterm birth and consequent overall infant mortality than their Mexico-born peers. However, the relation of Mexican American women's nativity to rates of congenital anomalies is poorly understood. Hispanic ethnicity and young maternal age are well-known risk factors for gastroschisis. To determine the extent to which nativity of Mexican American women is associated with abdominal wall defects. Stratified and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed on the 2003-2004 National Center for Health Statistics linked live birth-infant death cohort. Only Mexican American infants were studied. Maternal variables examined included nativity, age, education, marital status, parity, and prenatal care usage. Infants with US-born Mexican American mothers (n=451,272) had an abdominal wall defect rate of 3.9/10,000 compared with 2.0/10,000 for those with Mexico-born mothers (n=786,878), RR=1.9 (1.5-2.4). Though a greater percentage of US-born (compared wtih Mexico-born) Mexican American mothers were teens, the nativity disparity was actually widest among women in their 20s. The adjusted (controlling for maternal age, education, marital status, parity, and prenatal care) odds ratio of abdominal wall defects among infants of US-born (compared with Mexico-born) Mexican American mothers was 1.6 (1.2-2.0). US-born Mexican American women have nearly a two-fold greater rate of delivering an infant with an abdominal wall defect than their Mexico-born counterparts. This phenomenon is only partially explained by traditional risk factors and highlights a detrimental impact of lifelong residence in the United States, or something closely related to it, on the pregnancy outcome of Mexican American women.

Weight Loss Success Among Overweight and Obese Women of Mexican-Origin Living in Mexico and the United States: A Comparison of Two National Surveys.

We assessed variations in and correlates of weight-loss success (WLS) among overweight/obese women in Mexico (WIMX) and Mexican-American women (MA). We used cross-national data from 2006 ENSANUT (Mexico) and NHANES (2001-2008) to compare 5061 WIMX with 550 MA's without known metabolic conditions. WLS was defined as losing ≥5% of body weight over 1year. MA's were more likely to attain WLS (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.01-1.70). WLS among WIMX was higher in those with at least high school, a provider screen of overweight and a lower BMI. Among MA's, an incomplete high school versus primary education reduced the odds of WLS. Among women who lost ≥10lbs, weight-loss strategies such as eating less were higher among MA's. MA women were more likely than WIMX to attain WLS. Understanding these disparities can help design customized public health interventions that curb the obesity epidemic in these women in both countries.

Cytomegalovirus IgM Seroprevalence among Women of Reproductive Age in the United States.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM indicates recent active CMV infection. CMV IgM seroprevalence is a useful marker for prevalence of transmission. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III 1988–1994, we present estimates of CMV IgM prevalence by race/ethnicity, provide a comparison of IgM seroprevalence among all women and among CMV IgG positive women, and explore factors possibly associated with IgM seroprevalence, including socioeconomic status and exposure to young children. There was no difference in IgM seroprevalence by race/ethnicity among all women (3.1%, 2.2%, and 1.6% for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black and Mexican American, respectively; P = 0.11). CMV IgM seroprevalence decreased significantly with increasing age in non-Hispanic black women (P<0.001 for trend) and marginally among Mexican American women (P = 0.07), while no apparent trend with age was seen in non-Hispanic white women (P = 0.99). Among 4001 IgG+ women, 118 were IgM+, resulting in 4.9% IgM seroprevalence. In IgG+ women, IgM seroprevalence varied significantly by age (5.3%, 7.3%, and 3.7% for women of 12–19, 20–29, and 30–49 years; P = 0.04) and race/ethnicity (6.1%, 2.7%, and 2.0% for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Mexican American; P<0.001). The factors reported associated with IgG seroprevalence were not associated with IgM seroprevalence. The patterns of CMV IgM seroprevalence by age, race/ethnicity, and IgG serostatus may help understanding the epidemiology of congenital CMV infection as a consequence of vertical transmission and are useful for identifying target populations for intervention to reduce CMV transmission.

Family capital: Examining social capital, family commitment, and acculturation among college-enrolled Mexican-American men and women in the Southwestern United States

ABSTRACTSocial capital is integral to an individual’s ability to access various resources embedded in social and familial networks that are important in academic access and future success. The types and dynamics of social relationships created by men and women are thought to generate different forms of social capital with factors such as acculturation resulting in differences in intercultural networks and potential resource access. However, the factors that contribute to the development of social capital require further investigation. The current study examines the relationship between acculturation, family role commitment, and various social network characteristics associated with social capital among Mexican-American college-enrolled men (n = 119) and women (n = 196). Several multiple regressions were conducted. Findings indicate that acculturation and family role commitment relate differently to social-capital-network characteristics among Mexican-American men and women. For women, marital commitment was consistently related to social-capital-network characteristics whereas acculturation factors seemed to be more salient among men. Overall, study variables accounted for a larger portion of the variance for social-capital-network characteristics across analyses for men than women indicating that other factors may be at play in generating social capital for women.

Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in a Mexican-American Cohort: Variability in Early and Late Pregnancy.

People are exposed to phthalates through their wide use as plasticizers and in personal care products. Many phthalates are endocrine disruptors and have been associated with adverse health outcomes. However, knowledge gaps exist in understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with the effects of exposure in early and late pregnancy. In this study, we examined the relationship of eleven urinary phthalate metabolites with isoprostane, an established marker of oxidative stress, among pregnant Mexican-American women from an agricultural cohort. Isoprostane levels were on average 20% higher at 26 weeks than at 13 weeks of pregnancy. Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations suggested relatively consistent phthalate exposures over pregnancy. The relationship between phthalate metabolite concentrations and isoprostane levels was significant for the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and the sum of high molecular weight metabolites with the exception of monobenzyl phthalate, which was not associated with oxidative stress at either time point. In contrast, low molecular weight metabolite concentrations were not associated with isoprostane at 13 weeks, but this relationship became stronger later in pregnancy (p-value = 0.009 for the sum of low molecular weight metabolites). Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to phthalates may influence oxidative stress, which is consistent with their relationship with obesity and other adverse health outcomes.

Perceived Social Support Trajectories and the All-Cause Mortality Risk of Older Mexican American Women and Men.

Although numerous studies of non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks show that social integration and social support tend to favor longevity, it is unclear whether this general pattern extends to the Mexican American population. Building on previous research, we employed seven waves of data from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly to examine the association between perceived social support trajectories and the all-cause mortality risk of older Mexican Americans. Growth mixture estimates revealed three latent classes of support trajectories: high, moderate, and low. Cox regression estimates indicated that older Mexican American men in the low support trajectory tend to exhibit a higher mortality risk than their counterparts in the high support trajectory. Social support trajectories were unrelated to the mortality risk of older Mexican American women. A statistically significant interaction term confirmed that social support was more strongly associated with the mortality risk of men.

Abstract P198: Association Between Parity and Inflammation Varies by Acculturation Level Among Mexican American Women of Childbearing Age

Introduction: Parity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular health. Its association with cardiovascular disease risk among Mexican American women is less established, even though this population currently has the highest fertility rate in the U.S. We examined the association of parity with a cardiovascular risk biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP), among Mexican American women of childbearing age. Methods: Participants (N=1,346) were currently non-pregnant women of Mexican background, aged 16-49 years, in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2006. The association between parity status [classified as live birth ≤ one year ago, live birth &gt; one year ago, or nulliparous (reference group)] and elevated CRP (&gt;3.0 mg/L) was examined using binary logistic regression. Since greater acculturation is associated with greater cardiovascular health risk among Mexican American women, an interaction between parity and acculturation was considered. Acculturation (scores 0 to 5) was defined based on nativity status, duration of residence in the U.S. (0-Mexico-born, U.S. resident &lt; 10 years, 1-Mexico-born, U.S. resident 10-19 years, 2-Mexico-born, U.S. resident ≥20 years, 3- U.S. born), and language use at home (0-Spanish, 1-bilingual, 2-English). Scores 0-1, 2-3, 4-5 represented low, moderate, and high acculturation level, respectively. Results: The association of parity status with elevated CRP varied by acculturation level ( P for interaction = 0.01). In stratified analyses, live birth ≤ one year ago and live birth &gt; one year ago, compared to nulliparity, was associated with higher odds of elevated CRP among women with low acculturation but not among women with moderate or high acculturation level. Additional adjustment for access to health care and lifestyle factors did not change results. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, parity is associated with a higher likelihood of elevated CRP in women with low acculturation.

The role of familism in weight loss treatment for Mexican American women.

Mexican American women are disproportionately affected by overweight/obesity and the health complications accompanying them, but weight loss treatments are less successful in this ethnic group. High levels of familism, a value reflecting obligation to family that supersedes attention to oneself, interfere with weight loss for Mexican American women. This mixed methods study investigated overweight Mexican American women's beliefs about how familism, and Mexican American culture, might hinder weight loss success, and how treatments might be culturally adapted. Results suggest a need to support women in their commitment to family while also helping them make changes. Recommendations for culturally adapted treatments are made.

Substantiating the need for primary care-based sexual health promotion interventions for ethnic minority adolescent women experiencing health disparities.

Assess the context of psychological distress, violence, and substance use among African- and Mexican-American adolescent women with a history of STI, violence, or high sexual risk behavior. These adolescents experience multiple health disparities, limited access to care, and are at particularly high risk of adverse sexual health outcomes. The results will inform sexual health promotion interventions provided by advanced practice nurses in primary care-based settings for women experiencing these disparities. Analysis of self-report data obtained at study entry from African- and Mexican-American adolescent women (n = 559) enrolled in a randomized trial of a behavioral intervention for sexual risk reduction. High levels of psychological distress, sexual risk behavior, sexually transmitted infection (STI), personal and friend/peer substance use, alcohol use, and violence were reported by women at study entry. Analyses found that STI, physical violence, and substance-using friends were twice as likely associated with personal substance use. Alcohol users were five times more likely to use other substances. Mexican Americans were three times more likely than African Americans to use substances. Recommendation is made for integration of multicomponent sexual health promotion interventions as advanced practice nurse provider services addressing these health disparities within primary care-based settings.

Mexican American women’s perspectives on a culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy guided self-help program for binge eating.

The prevalence of bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) among Latinas is comparable to those of the general population; however, few interventions and treatment trial research have focused on this group. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice for binge eating related disorders. CBT-based guided self-help (CBTgsh)-a low-cost minimal intervention-has also been shown effective in improving binge eating related symptom, but the effectiveness of the CBTgsh among ethnic minority women is not well understood. Cultural adaptation of evidence-based treatments can be an important step for promoting treatment accessibility and engagement among underserved groups. This qualitative study was part of a larger investigation that examined the feasibility and efficacy of a culturally adapted CBTgsh program among Mexican American women with binge eating disorders. Posttreatment focus groups were conducted with 12 Mexican American women with BN or BED who participated in the intervention. Data were analyzed with the grounded theory methodology (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). Three themes emerged from the data: (a) eating behavior and body ideals are socially and culturally constructed, (b) multifaceted support system is crucial to Mexican American women's treatment engagement and success, and (c) the culturally adapted CBTgsh program is feasible and relevant to Mexican American women's experience, but it can be strengthened with increased family and peer involvement. The findings provide suggestions for further adaptation and refinement of the CBTgsh, and implications for future research as well as early intervention for disordered eating in organized care settings.

Sex and Race-Ethnicity Secular Trends in Mean and Elevated Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Among Adults in the United States, 1999-2012.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to associate with increased risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death. To our knowledge, no study has examined secular trends in RDW over the last decade. Serial cross-sectional design. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2012, were used. 34,171 adults. RDW was assessed from a blood sample derived from the coefficient of variation of the red cell volume distribution histogram and reported as a percent. Elevated RDW was defined as an RDW > 14.6%. The overall age-adjusted mean RDW increased progressively and significantly (P<.05) from 12.59% in 1999-2000 to 12.89% in 2011-2012. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of elevated RDW increased progressively and significantly (P<.05) from 4.01% in 1999-2000 to 6.25% in 2011-2012. Statistically significant increases over this time period also occurred among non-Hispanic White women, non-Hispanic Black men and women, and Mexican American men and women. Across all sex and race-ethnicity combinations, women, compared with men, had higher RDW and larger increases over time in mean and elevated RDW. Mean and elevated RDW has progressively increased from 1999-2012 among adults in the United States, with increases observed among non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, and Mexican Americans. Future research is needed to describe the determinants and implications of this RDW rise, as well as explanations for why a greater RDW change has occurred among women.

Cardiovascular disease risks in adult Native and MexicanAmericans with a history of alcohol use disorders: association with cardiovascular autonomic control.

Hypertension and obesity are serious health problems that have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We recently showed a relationship between hypertension, obesity and cardiovagal control in a sample of Native and MexicanAmericans at high risk of alcohol use disorders (AUD). While studies have shown that Native and MexicanAmericans exhibit high rates of AUD, the consequences of AUD on CVD risk factors and their relationship with cardiovascular autonomic control is not well understood in these ethnic groups. This study investigated whether an association could be demonstrated between cardiovascular autonomic control and several CVD risk factors in Native and Mexican American men and women (n=228) who are literate in English and are residing legally in San Diego County. Participants with lifetime history of AUD showed higher rates of systolic and diastolic hypertension and obesity than participants without lifetime AUD. Lifetime AUD was significantly associated with reduced HR response to deep breathing (HRDB) measure of cardiovagal control, higher current drinking quantity, and obesity. Reduced HRDB was also associated with increased systolic pre-hypertension or hypertension (pre-/hypertension) and with higher diastolic blood pressure in a linear regression model that included several diagnostic and demographic variables. HRDB and time- and frequency-domain measures of cardiovagal control were significantly reduced in participants with diastolic pre-/hypertension. These data suggest that lower cardiovagal control may play a role in the prevalence of systolic and diastolic pre-/hypertension in a community sample with a history of alcohol and substance use disorders.

Bacterial microbiome of breast milk and child saliva from low-income Mexican-American women and children.

BackgroundThe childhood salivary microbiome, which plays an important role in healthy development, may be influenced by breast milk consumption. The composition of the milk microbiome and the role it plays in the establishment of the infant microbiome are not well understood.MethodsHere, we sequenced the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to characterize microbial communities in breast milk and 5-year-old child saliva from ten low-income, Mexican-American mother-child pairs with a high prevalence of obesity.ResultsMembers of the genus Streptococcus dominated both milk and salivary microbial communities in most subjects. Staphylococcus was observed predominately in milk samples while Prevotella was more prevalent in child saliva. No statistically significant relationships were observed between maternal and child microbiomes or between child microbiome and BMI. However, pre-pregnancy BMI was correlated with both lower Streptococcus abundance (r = −0.67) and higher microbial diversity (r = 0.77) in breast milk (P < 0.05 for both). Diversity estimates were notably similar to data from other low-income cohorts or children.ConclusionThese findings contribute to the currently-limited state of knowledge regarding the breast milk and salivary microbiomes in mother-child pairs and may inform future studies seeking to elucidate the relationship between early-life microbial exposures and pediatric health.