Yvita Bustos

 

Training Track: Clinical 

Lab: Children Adapting to Stress and Adversity (CASA) Lab  

Advisor: Catherine DeCarlo Santiago, Ph.D. 

Office: Coffey Hall 406

DePaul University, BA, Psychology

 

I am interested in underserved populations, particularly low-income Latino families, immigrants, and refugees, in addition to school and community-based interventions for children.  My research focuses on stress, coping, risk, resilience, anxiety, depression, and trauma among these underserved populations.

 

The Effects of Familism and Parenting Behaviors on Child Internalizing Symptoms among Low-income Mexican Immigrant Families

 

Familism may be an important strength and source of resiliency among Mexican origin immigrant families. Familism has been associated with fewer internalizing symptoms among Latino youth; however, little is known about the mechanism behind this association. This study explored how familism may promote parenting behaviors including warmth and support, in addition to family cohesion, and how these factors may impact child internalizing symptoms during middle childhood among Mexican immigrant families. Participants included 104 children between the age of 6-10 and their primary caregivers (98% mothers; 90% born in Mexico). This longitudinal study utilized a multi-method approach that encompassed parent-report, child-report and observational measures. Data was collected every 6 months through three home visits. Participants completed surveys and video-recorded family interaction tasks. Results demonstrated that familism was a significant, positive predictor of observed parental warmth and family cohesion over the course of six months. Further, observed parental warmth and support was associated with less child-reported depressive symptoms six months later. Mediation results indicated a significant indirect effect of familism on child-reported depressive symptoms through observed parental warmth. This study highlights the importance of building on Latino immigrant families’ existing strengths that incorporates families’ values, parenting behaviors, and family cohesion to support positive youth outcomes.

 

Catherine DeCarlo Santiago, PhD & Grayson Holmbeck, PhD

 

 

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