title: Shared ancestry, evolving stories: similar and contrasting life experiences described by foreign born and U.S. born Latino parents.
abstract: As the Latino population in the United States continues to increase, so does the necessity for in-depth knowledge about their life experiences. This qualitative study sought to privilege the voices of Latino parents by utilizing focus group discussions. Specifically, participants described the life experiences that have the greatest influence on their parenting efforts. Similar and contrasting themes were identified based on participant country of origin (i.e., foreign born vs. U.S. born). Findings described the participants' commitment to being good parents, as well as the ways in which their parenting efforts are influenced by experiences of adversity and discrimination, Latino cultural values, gender roles, and resilience. The results of this investigation can inform researchers and mental health professionals working with Latino families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Child Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1030, USA. Parraca1@msu.edu
authors.forename: José Rubén
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Parra-Cardona
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Córdova
authors.forename: Kendal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holtrop
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Villarruel
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wieling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research