Predictors of Latino/a Youth Internalizing Behaviors

Background: Latino/a youth have been found to have higher levels of problematic internalizing behaviors (i.e., directing negative thoughts and feelings inward) than Black or White youth. Although the academic literature provides some support for existing predictors of internalizing behaviors (e.g. positive self-concept, internal locus of control), our understanding of protective factors for Latino/a youth is still limited. For Latino/a youth, it is equally important to take into account cultural factors that can impact their adjustment. More specifically, acculturation is well-known as an inconsistent correlate of the well-being of Latina/o youth but has been studied less in relation to internalizing behaviors. Moreover, given high levels of familism and challenges related to acculturation in this population, when exploring children’s proclivity to internalize, it is also important to consider risk factors (e.g. parental depression) and protective factors (e.g. children’s perceived social support). This paper explores the impact of important protective factors—internal locus of control, positive self-concept, child social support, and parental depression—on internalizing behaviors while controlling for acculturation and other background variables.

Methods: For this study, a nationally-representative sample of 1,701 Latino seventh graders were obtained from the 1998-1999 Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K). Multiple imputation was used to address missing data. This study employed stepwise regression to explore potential correlates of internalizing behaviors in Latino youth. Variables were introduced into the regression models in two steps. In the first model, we included: child’s self-concept, locus of control, acculturation, parent depression, and a measure of child’s perceived lack of child social support. Demographics were added in the second step. Change in fit was assessed at each of the two steps.

Findings: Results found acculturation (B = .06, p < .05), along with self-concept,  (B = -.29, p < .001), locus of control (B = -.13, p < .001), and lack of child social support (B = -.66, p < .001), to be significantly associated with internalizing behaviors. Parental depression was not found to be a significant predictor, as had been expected. In the final model, demographic variables (e.g. gender, socioeconomic status, age, parental education) were added, and only gender was significant (girls have higher internalizing scores; B = .16, p < .001). The R² increased from .23 to .25 with the inclusion of the demographic variables.

Discussion: Whereas there is a paucity of data on factors that predict Latino/a youth well-being outcomes, including internalizing behaviors, this study found a number of strong and important predictors. The finding that higher acculturation, self-concept, and locus of control, lower social support, and being female, controlling for background variables, can predict problematic internalizing behaviors among Latino/a youth is worthy of further exploration. Informing practitioners and researchers about the existing predictors that impact internalizing behaviors among Latino/a adolescents could help social workers better identify interventions to strengthen locus of control and self-concept even when there is a lack of social support. Special attention to these issues in Latinos and acculturating youth is warranted.