Latino Parenting Profiles As Prospective Predictors of Adolescent Risky Behaviors

Background:We prospectively examine the relationship between Latino parenting practices and risky behaviors in adolescence. Four predominant parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful) have historically been used to describe parenting behaviors. Among Latino families, the literature is sparse and suggests Latino parents fall into “non-traditional” parenting styles. In one study, over 60% of Latino parents were classified as “protective”. Lacking in the literature is the inclusion of parents’ efforts to culturally socialize their children. Latinos ethnic based values, such as familismo, may influence their parenting behaviors. In the present study we 1) examine how acculturation and social support informs Latinos’ parenting behaviors, controlling for gender and education, 2) describe parenting styles that are culturally grounded, and 3) prospectively examine how these parenting styles predict adolescent risk behaviors 20 months later, controlling for baseline behaviors.  

Methods: Parents (N=338; 82% female; 91% Mexican-born) and their 7^th grade adolescents (47% adolescent girls, Mage=14 years, 92% free/reduced lunch) completed a survey prior to participation in a parenting education program at their child’s school (N=8). Five measures of parenting were assessed on from 1 (low) to 5 (high): Involvement (“Do you and your youth do things together?”, 10-items, alpha=.79), monitoring (“Do you usually know what type of homework your child has?”, 8-items, alpha=.83), agency (“I feel sure of myself as a mother/father”, 8-items, alpha=.70), discipline self-efficacy (“I am a good enough disciplinarian”, 7-items, alpha=.81), and familism (“Parents should teach children that the family always comes first”, 6-items, alpha=.98). Predictors/covariates included Mexican- (6-items, alpha=.77) and Anglo-orientation sub-scales (6-items, alpha=.85), education (40% < high school diploma), social support (10-items, alpha=.94), and sex. Data collection for wave 4 is ongoing (currently N=97 adolescents). Outcomes included risky behaviors (“gotten drunk or high”, “stole something worth less than $50” in the past year, 24-items, alpha=.86).

Results: A 3-step Latent Profile Analysis model was run using Mplus. A 3-class solution resulted in the best model fit (statistically significantly lowest AIC, BIC, adjusted BIC, significant parametric bootstrapped likelihood ratio test and a LMR test): Disciplinarian parenting (21.5%; high discipline self-efficacy, familism; low-moderate involvement, monitoring, agency), warm parenting (13.5%; moderate-high involvement, monitoring, agency; moderate discipline self-efficacy; low familism), and family parenting (65%; high familism, involvement, monitoring, agency; moderate discipline self-efficacy). Compared to Family parenting, being male (B=-1.72, SE=.42, p<.001), lower Anglo-orientation (B=-.66, SE=.25, p<.01), and lower support (B=-.58, SE=.14, p<.001), predicted disciplinarian parenting. Warm parenting styles predicted greater risky behaviors at wave 4, controlling for wave one behaviors (B=2.74, SE=.98, p=.005).

Discussion: This study revealed that ethnic based values (i.e., familismo) are a critical dimension to Latino parenting practices. Social support and acculturation impacted parenting behaviors and parenting with lower familism was associated with increased risky behaviors in adolescence.  Culturally based parenting practices need to be a critical element in family interventions in order to promote positive youth outcomes. Practice implications include advocacy for family policies that understand and support culturally adaptive parenting techniques.