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Family Functioning, Identity, and Problem Behavior in Hispanic Immigrant Early Adolescents.
Seth J Schwartz1, Hilda Pantin, Guillermo Prado
1University of Miami.
The Journal of Early Adolescence
|August 17, 2006
Summary
Family functioning impacts adolescent behavior problems, with identity playing a key mediating role. Identity confusion in Hispanic immigrant adolescents partially explains this link, suggesting intervention targets.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Immigrant Studies
Background:
- Family functioning is a significant factor in adolescent development.
- Identity formation is crucial during early adolescence.
- Hispanic immigrant youth face unique challenges impacting behavior and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating role of identity in the family functioning-behavior problems link.
- To examine identity confusion as a partial mediator.
- To understand these dynamics in Hispanic immigrant early adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Survey research with 181 Hispanic immigrant adolescents and their caregivers.
- Adolescent and parent self-reports for family functioning and behavior problems.
- Adolescent self-reports for identity and identity confusion.
- Correlational and structural equation modeling analyses.
Main Results:
- Replication of established relationships between family functioning, identity, and behavior problems.
- Identity indirectly mediated 20% of the relationship between family functioning and behavior problems.
- Identity confusion partially mediated the link between family functioning and adolescent behavior problems.
Conclusions:
- Identity, particularly identity confusion, is a significant factor in how family functioning affects adolescent behavior.
- Findings highlight the importance of identity development in therapeutic interventions for Hispanic immigrant families.
- Interventions should consider family dynamics and identity formation to address behavioral issues.