We examined trajectories of ethnic identity exploration, resolution, and affirmation and their associations with depressive symptoms and self-esteem 3.5 years later among early and middle adolescent Mexican-origin girls (N = 338). Findings indicated that exploration, resolution, and affirmation increased over time for both cohorts. Among early…

The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide and a culturally-relevant construct, familism, was used to examine predictors of suicidal ideation among Mexican and Mexican American women in the United States. A sense of perceived burdensomeness toward others was expected to significantly predict suicidal ideation, especially among women who…

Using data from a longitudinal study of Mexican-origin girls (ages 11-17 at Time 1), we examined sociocultural (i.e., family structure, nativity, and acculturation), interpersonal (i.e., supportive parenting and conflict), and developmental (i.e., menarche timing and autonomy expectations) predictors of sexual initiation. Using Cox proportional…

Early-maturing girls are at risk for internalizing and externalizing problems. Research concerning pubertal timing and mental health among Mexican Americans or the influence of parenting behaviors on these relations has been scarce. This study addressed these gaps. This was a prospective examination of 362 Mexican-origin girls and their mothers in…

This article investigates levels of generalized distrust of men among low-income non-Hispanic African American, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican and non-Hispanic White women in a three-city survey. The results reveal substantial variation. Hispanics' overall levels of distrust are found to be higher than levels for either African Americans or…

Fertility research among four groups of Chicanas showed intragroup differences in fertility rates and in relationships between fertility and independent socioeconomic variables. A literature review suggested that research on minority group fertility failed to recognize intragroup variations. Data from the 1980 Public-Use Microdata Sample yielded a…

Examines how Latina adolescents' intentions to have sex were influenced by their general attitude toward having sex and their perceptions of general social norms. Results reveal that perceptions of general social norms, but not general attitude, predicted intentions to have sex; and whether adolescents were sexually active directly predicted…

Examines the role of confidant support in moderating depressive symptoms among low-income, Mexican immigrant women in discrete marital statuses. Confidant support doubled the explained variance when added to an equation containing a best set of known demographic predictors of depression. (Author/ABB)

It has been postulated that the result of the Mexican woman's inability to live up to the stiff requirements of her culture should show itself in depressive trends. These theories are often applied to the Mexican-American female as well. The aim of this study was to determine if acculturation is related to depression in Mexican-American females. A…

Critical issues and methodological problems concerning migration and mental health are examined. A model for determining predictor variables of depression in immigrant Mexican women is tested. Demographic, economic, and interpersonal factors are isolated as a subset of depression predictors within the model. (VM)

A structural model predicting the educational and career expectations of 282 Mexican American high school girls was developed and tested. Predictors included socioeconomic status, acculturation, academic achievement, instrumentality, expressiveness, gender role attitudes, parental and teacher support, family and career commitment, and perceptions…

This study assessed the extent to which university comfort, social support, and self-beliefs were interrelated and subsequently predictive of academic nonpersistence decisions for 99 Latina/o undergraduates. The majority of the sample was female, traditional college aged, second generation, and of Mexican heritage. Previously used or specifically…

Possible mediators of sexual abuse severity were tested on the basis of D. Finkelhor and A. Browne's (1985) traumagenic dynamics model with 178 low-income African American, European American, and Mexican American community women interviewed for Project HOW: Health Outcomes of Women. This subsample reported contact sexual abuse before the age of 18…

This paper considers the effects of fertility on the labor supply of Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican women in the United States. Drawing on the notion of "role incompatibility"--the degree to which the joint provision of child care and work are in conflict--the study examines whether having characteristics that increase the likelihood…

Information was collected from 28 Chicano, 42 Chicana, 36 non-Chicano, and 52 non-Chicana students to identify reasons for Chicana attrition from the University of Southern Colorado. Information was also collected from 14 Chicanas who had already dropped out of college. Most of the data were collected at registration for spring semester, 1980. The…