title: Efficacy of a Latino mother-child communication intervention in elementary schools.
abstract: Children of Latino immigrants in the United States encounter ecological stressors that heighten their risk for depressive symptoms, externalizing behavior, and problems in school. Studies have shown that affirming parent-child communication is protective of child depressive symptoms and accompanying problems. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of an adapted mother-child communication intervention for Latino immigrant mothers and their fourth- to sixth-grade children delivered after school. The intervention, Family Communication ("Comunicación Familiar"), was delivered at children's elementary schools in six sessions lasting 2 hr each. Significant improvements were found in children's reports of problem-solving communication, with their mother and mothers' reports of reduced family conflict. Strengths of the intervention are improved mother-child communication, acquisition of communication skills that can transfer to relationships within the classroom, and a design that allows delivery by nurses or other professional members of the school support team.
authors.affiliation: Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA Diane_B_McNaughton@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Diane B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: McNaughton
authors.affiliation: Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Julia Muennich
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cowell
authors.affiliation: Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fogg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Latino; Mexican immigrant; depressive symptoms; efficacy; parent–child communication; protective; school-based intervention