Family Mediators of Acculturation and Adolescent Sexual Behavior among Latino Youth

Background: Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among Latino youth remain a serious concern. A large body of research has indicated that acculturation is related to the sexual risk behavior of Latino adolescents. However, research on acculturation and adolescent sexual behavior has tended to use simple measures of acculturation, such as length of residence and language spoken in the home. To date, limited studies have empirically identified the pathways of influence underlying the observed acculturation-sexual behavior relationship, particularly among Latino youth. Traditional measures of acculturation need to include cultural and contextual factors that assess basic attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, and do so within the context of a well-developed theory. The present study examines the relationship between adolescent sexual behavior and acculturation within the context of familial and cultural processes and the formation of adolescent romantic relationships.

Methods: The theoretical framework explored the intergenerational transmission of acculturation and the Latino value of familismo as it relates to early adolescent sexual behavior in a random sample of 400 Puerto Rican, Mexican and Dominican mother-adolescent dyads recruited from the eighth grade of 10 middle schools in the South Bronx community of the Bronx, New York, NY. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires. The theoretical framework examined the acculturation of Latino mothers as well as their adolescent children and the embracement of familismo on the part of both mothers and adolescents. These constructs were then used to examine maternal approval of their adolescent dating as well as their child's perceptions of these dating orientations. The dating constructs were, in turn, related to the dating activity of adolescents and the impact that such dating had on motivations to engage in sexual intercourse. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling.

Results: Findings revealed complex dynamics between acculturation and adolescent sexual behavior. Protective and risk-inducing associations were observed, with important gender differences operating for boys and girls. For girls, higher levels of acculturation were associated with a tendency to perceive their mothers as being less approving of dating, which was associated with a lower probability of being in a romantic relationship with a boy. This, in turn, was associated with lower intentions to engage in sex. Higher levels of acculturation also had risk inducing effects on sexual intentions over and above these mechanisms. For boys, higher levels of acculturation were associated with a lowered preference for romantic partners who embraced familismo, which was associated with stronger intentions to have sex in the near future. As mothers became more acculturated, this decreased maternal embracement of familismo which was associated with greater levels of acculturation for boys. These, in turn, translated into stronger intentions to engage in sex.

Conclusions and Implications: As prevention programs are developed for Latino youth and their families, our study suggests that while acculturation is an important factor to target, it must be done so in the context of other important familial and cultural variables. Notable gender differences indicate that programs may need to target culturally-relevant messages to boys differently than to girls.