Mexican-origin Early Adolescents' Ethnic Socialization, Ethnic Identity, and Psychosocial Functioning.
The current study examined how parental ethnic socialization informed adolescents' ethnic identity development and, in turn, youths' psychosocial functioning (i.e., mental health, social competence, academic efficacy, externalizing behaviors) among 749 Mexican-origin families. In addition, school ethnic composition was examined as a moderator of these associations. Findings indicated that mothers' and fathers' ethnic socialization were significant longitudinal predictors of adolescents' ethnic identity, although fathers' ethnic socialization interacted significantly with youths' school ethnic composition in 5thgrade to influence ethnic identity in 7thgrade. Furthermore, adolescents' ethnic identity was significantly associated with increased academic self-efficacy and social competence, and decreased depressive symptoms and externalizing behaviors. Findings support theoretical predictions regarding the central role parents play in Mexican-origin adolescents' normative developmental processes and adjustment and, importantly, underscore the need to consider variability that is introduced into these processes by features of the social context such as school ethnic composition.
Arizona State University.
Adriana J
AJ
Umaña-Taylor
Arizona State University.
Megan
M
O'Donnell
Arizona State University.
George P
GP
Knight
Arizona State University.
Mark W
MW
Roosa
Arizona State University.
Cady
C
Berkel
Arizona State University.
Rajni
R
Nair
Ethnic identity; Mexican-origin; early adolescents; ethnic socialization; psychosocial adjustment; social context