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Parenting concerns, family support systems, and life problems in Mexican‐origin women: A comparison by nativity
Author(s) -
Zambrana Ruth E.,
SilvaPalacios Victor,
Powell Douglas
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(199210)20:4<276::aid-jcop2290200403>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - mexican americans , immigration , psychology , ethnic group , normative , perception , developmental psychology , family life , demography , gender studies , geography , sociology , political science , archaeology , neuroscience , anthropology , law
Low‐income Mexican‐origin families have been neglected in studies of normative family functioning and transition to parenting roles. This study examined the child and family concerns and perception of parenting role among 122 Mexican‐origin women in Los Angeles and assessed differences by parity and nativity. The results showed significant sociodemographic differences among respondents by nativity. Mexican‐American women had significantly higher levels of education and were less likely to be married than recent Mexican immigrant women. There were no significant differences between groups on reported levels of life problems by nativity. Family social support data revealed that Mexican Americans were more likely to have large family networks, to live with parents and siblings, and to report that their family provided “a lot of help.” Data on perception of parenting for first‐time mothers revealed that Mexican immigrant women were twice as likely as Mexican‐American women to report that they “anticipated doing a better job of parenting than most mothers.” Baby concerns in first‐time pregnant women revealed that married respondents reported more concerns than nonmarried respondents. Among mothers, Mexican‐American mothers reported fewer child concerns than Mexican immigrant mothers. The major implication of these results is related to the provision of psychoeducational parenting programs compatible with the concerns and needs of Latino parents.