Open AccessTowards a Multisystem, Strength-Based Model of Social Inequities in US Latinx Youth
Author(s) -
Alexandra N. Davis,
Gustavo Carlo,
Sahitya Maiya
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
human development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1423-0054
pISSN - 0018-716X
DOI - 10.1159/000517920
Subject(s) - intrapersonal communication , sociology , social identity theory , ethnic group , extant taxon , identity (music) , health equity , social psychology , social inequality , positive youth development , psychology , inequality , public health , developmental psychology , interpersonal communication , social group , medicine , mathematical analysis , physics , mathematics , evolutionary biology , anthropology , acoustics , biology , nursing
US Latinx youth are overrepresented across numerous social inequity domains (e.g., education, incarceration, health) in US society. Such concerning data call for culturally sensitive and strength-based models to guide future research to better understand, and perhaps mitigate, such inequities. The present paper presents a conceptual model that highlights the roles of multiple systems (cultural, relational, intrapersonal, behavioral) that predict US Latinx youth social inequities. The proposed model incorporates a culture- and strength-based approach to further our understanding of US Latinx youth developmental trajectories associated with social inequalities. We also highlight a set of culture-specific and non-culture-specific risk and protective factors (e.g., ethnic identity, social support, neighborhood characteristics) that can exacerbate or mitigate social inequities, with a focus on positive social behaviors. The extant research literature that yields supportive evidence for the model and gaps in the research are briefly reviewed. The essay concludes with recommendations for future research.