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BackgroundGiven the protective effects of shared family mealtimes and the importance of family in the Hispanic culture, this context should be explored further to determine how it can be leveraged and optimized for interventions. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore contextual factors associated with family mealtimes in Mexican and Puerto Rican families. MethodsA total of 63 mothers participated in 13 focus group interviews across 4 states. Thematic analysis was used to analyze transcripts. ResultsSeven overarching themes were identified through the thematic analysis. Themes reflected who was present at the mealtime, what occurs during mealtime, the presence of television, the influence of technology during mealtime, and how mealtimes have changed since the mothers were children. ConclusionsHispanic mothers may be adapting family mealtimes to fit their current situations and needs, keeping the television and other devices on during mealtimes, and making additional meals for multiple family members to appease everyone’s tastes. All of these are areas that can be incorporated into existing culturally tailored obesity prevention programs to help families lead healthier lives.

The biomarker cortisol assesses the impact of biopsychosocial stressors that activate the stress response system. Hair has emerged as a valid and non-invasive means of gauging cumulative cortisol deposited over month-long periods of time. Established protocols for the extraction of hair cortisol are being validated and refined in humans, yet methodological information about hair characteristics on cortisol remains limited. In addition to external hair exposures (e.g. dye, time spent outside), we examined hair categorization or type (e.g. kinky, straight) by extending a hair typing methodology for scientific use that is currently popular among hair care professionals. We then examined the interaction between hair type and race on cortisol levels with a hair questionnaire. Three studies were pooled to investigate how sample weight, hair type, race, heat exposures, and hair treatments impacted cumulative hair cortisol concentrations. Study 1 consisted of Adult Kenyan Medical Workers (N = 44); Study 2 Mexican and Mexican Americans (N = 106); and Study 3 American Youth (N = 107). We found significantly higher cortisol in 5 mg of hair when compared to larger sample weights, and higher cortisol in those who spent more time outdoors. Cortisol concentrations differed between racial groups and varied by hair type; moreover, there were directional differences in cumulative cortisol from straighter to curlier hair types which depended on racial group. In addition to demonstrating the impact of relatively novel control factors like hair sample weight, outdoor exposure, and hair type, the present study illustrates the importance of disentangling hair type and race to understand variability in cumulative hair cortisol. These influences should be included in future studies that measure hair cortisol.

This study contributes to the literature on understanding complexities related to educational disparities among Latino families. The roles of first-generation Latino fathers in their children's education are often mischaracterized within the schools. Utilizing role theory, our study details how Latino fathers' work, cultural values, and communication are key to understanding their involvement in their children's education. Seventeen first-generation Latino fathers from the rural Midwest participated in focus groups and subsequent individual interviews. The resulting thematic analysis details three themes. The themes describe how Latino fathers' work acts as a means of involvement, how cultural values impact the roles within education, and suggest the lack of communication creates a disconnect between Latino fathers and the schools. Implications from this study state a need for increased communication between Latino fathers and teachers. Teachers may benefit by incorporating the cultural values and roles of fathers into their teaching practices. Educators should consider expanding their beliefs of parental involvement to include the cultural values of the families in their schools. Integrating the voices of Latino fathers within the educational system is needed to further strive toward educational equality for Latino families.

Purpose: Examine the prevalence of and characteristics related to COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Design: Quantitative and qualitative data collected at two-time points via phone interviews. Setting: Rural Midwestern communities. Sample: 109 Latina mothers with incomes < 185% FPL, at least one child < age 12 recruited from a Midwestern state based on two previous studies. Measures: Mothers responded to the following variables through a survey: Vaccine uptake measured by responses to, Have you received a vaccination shot for COVID-19. Tested predictors of vaccine uptake included: income, gender, education, immigration status, confidence in vaccine, belief the pandemic is over). Mothers' perspectives regarding the vaccine explored via responses to Why haven't you received COVID-19 vaccine?. Analysis: Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted. Demographic variables and attitudes toward the vaccine served as predictors of mothers' vaccine uptake. Qualitative data were analyzed to shed light on mothers' perspectives on receiving the vaccine. Results: Mother's confidence in the vaccine predicted vaccine uptake in 2021 (aOR=1.332, 95% CI: 1.07-1.65) and 2022 (aOR=1.48, 95%CI: 1.11-1.97). In 2021, income also predicted vaccine uptake (aOR=1; 95% CI: 1-1.002). Overarching themes: "vaccination is not necessary","mistrust of the vaccine", and "vaccine as protector". Conclusion: Vaccinated mothers viewed the vaccine as a protection from being infected or gravely ill. For unvaccinated mothers, messages are needed that communicate the vaccine can protect them from virus transmission from household members who unknowingly are infected, as well as from different virus strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between maternal depression and child negative behavior outcomes has been well established in the literature. However, understanding how maternal depression is associated with child behaviors will have important implications for research and intervention strategies. Objective: We used samples from two distinct family contexts: urban, middle-class families (N = 454); and rural, low-income families (N = 240), to compare the impact of family rituals and maternal depressive symptoms on child externalizing behaviors. We also examined the impact of maternal depressive symptoms on family rituals. Methods: Structural equation modeling and multiple group analyses were conducted. Child age, child gender, mother age, mother education, mother partner status, family income, and family size served as control variables. Indirect effect tests and incremental validity tests were performed. Results: Depressive symptoms were linked to externalizing behaviors in both samples. The impacts of family rituals on child externalizing behaviors were more context-specific. For urban, middle-class families, vacations played a particularly helpful intermediate role. Also, in these families, maternal depressive symptoms were associated with less involvement in religious holidays. For rural, low-income families, involvement in annual celebrations was associated with less child externalizing behaviors, although maternal depressive symptoms did not impact involvement in any family rituals. Conclusions: Results suggest that family context matters in determining the impacts of maternal depression on the practice of family rituals, as well as the benefits of family rituals for child behaviors, and that certain family rituals can do more than others to reduce child externalizing behaviors (e.g., vacation).

Background: Exposure to multiple stressors and lack of access to resources place rural children at high risk for adverse consequences. Family Stress Model guided this study to examine relations between two stressors--food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms, and behavior problems among younger and older rural children. Objective: To test associations between food insecurity, maternal depressive symptoms, and behavior problems among younger and older rural low-income children. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 370 low-income rural families across 13 states was analyzed using structural equation modeling and multiple group analyses. Mothers' education level, household income, marital/partner status, and participation in SNAP served as covariates. Results: Among younger children, maternal depressive symptoms partially mediated the relation between food insecurity and child externalizing behaviors, while among older children, maternal depressive symptoms completely mediated the relation between food insecurity and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Conclusions: Stress manifested directly from, or indirectly through, maternal depressive symptoms and from food insecurity was related to behavior problems among younger and older rural children; however, the relations varied by age of children. Programs and policies that prevent or lessen both food insecurity and maternal depression may help to lessen problem behaviors among on rural children. Longitudinal studies are needed to rigorously examine causation and directionality among food insecurity, maternal depression and rural child behavior problems, while accounting for influences of child, caregiver and family characteristics.

Objective: This study reports on the psychometric properties of a new instrument to assess family fear of deportation in two versions (binary and polytomous response options). Background: The impact of fear of deportation extends beyond foreign‐born youth to U.S. citizen children in families with unauthorized members, and negatively affects their academic achievement and their physical, mental, and behavioral health. A measure assessing levels of fear of deportation among youth is lacking. Methods: Participants were first‐ and second‐generation Latino immigrant youth (N = 145 in Study 1 and N = 107 in Study 2). Item response theory (IRT), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), correlation analysis, and reliability tests were used to assess the scale's psychometric properties. Results: The results supported a five‐item binary version and a six‐item polytomous version of the scale. Both demonstrated excellent model fit, good reliability, and criterion validity. Conclusions: The six‐item polytomous version is slightly more parsimonious than the five‐item binary version scale, has better internal consistency, and captures a modestly wider range of the construct. The binary version may be preferable for immigrant youth who prefer straightforward response options. Implications: Researchers and practitioners can use either version of the Family Fear of Deportation Scale with confidence to assess deportation‐related fear among Latino immigrant youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study assesses the psychometric properties of the four‐ and eight‐item versions of the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Psychological Stress Measure (PPSM) for use with Latino immigrant adolescents. Background: Immigrant Latino youth are exposed to numerous stressors that can have consequences affecting health well into adulthood. However, few studies have assessed the suitability of psychosocial measures for this group. Methods: Participants included 286 first‐ and second‐generation immigrant Latino youth in middle school in an urban school district in the United States. Analyses included tests for reliability, validity, item characteristics, and measurement invariance across differing levels of acculturation and gender groups. Results: Both the four‐ and the eight‐item PPSM are internally consistent, have strong construct validity, and strict factorial invariance across differing levels of acculturation. The four‐item PPSM demonstrates strict invariance, but the eight‐item version shows only configural invariance by gender. Conclusion: The PPSM is a rigorous measure when assessing immigrant Latino youth stress level. The four‐item PPSM is brief, simple to administer, and appropriate for use with Latino youth across differing levels of acculturation and gender groups. Implications: The four‐item PPSM lessens respondent fatigue and may be incorporated into tools practitioners and researchers use to assess perceived stress among immigrant Latino youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of Snyder's Children's Hope Scale (CHS) with first‐ and second‐generation Latino immigrant youth, using item response theory, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance tests. Background: Stress experienced by youth in 2020 has heightened interest in resilience factors such as hope. The CHS is widely used to measure hope but has not been validated for longitudinal assessments with immigrant populations. Methods: Participants were 233 low socioeconomic status first‐ and second‐generation Latino immigrant youth (50.43% female, 62% U.S.‐born, and 81% of Mexican heritage). Data were collected at two timepoints spanning 4 weeks. Results: Rather than the original six‐item two‐dimensional scale, our results supported a four‐item one‐dimensional scale, with excellent model fit, strong invariance across time, by gender and generation status, good reliability (α =.81), and the expected negative association with stress. Conclusions: The four‐item Hope scale is suitable for longitudinal assessments with first‐ and second‐generation Latino immigrant populations and can be used for examining differences by gender and generation status in research and practice to assess youth resilience. Implications: This study underscores the need for practitioners and researchers to rigorously investigate the psychometric properties of a measure before its use with diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the growing demand for parenting educators, and the need to ensure that educators have basic knowledge and skills relevant to designing, implementing, and evaluating parenting education, "Partnering with Parents," an outreach academy was developed. Analysis of data gathered via a follow-up survey, online discussion board, and focus group interviews revealed that participants increased their knowledge and developed skills after participating in the academy. Ninety-five percent of the participants reported being competent or very competent in facilitating parenting education after the academy as compared to 32% before the academy. (Contains 2 tables.)

Family involvement in the policy-making process is critical to ensuring that policies are designed to effectively address family needs. This manuscript identifies critical roles for cooperative extension and other educators in involving families in shaping policies. Two educational tools, Sharing a Family's Story and the ROWEL Poverty Simulation, that assist in bringing a family perspective to policy making are described. KEYWORDS. Capacity building, cooperative extension, family issues, family policy, marginalized families

Poverty, food insecurity, and hunger are increasing across the Nation as Federal, State, and local economies continue to struggle. In 2003, the official U.S. poverty rate was 12.5 percent (35.9 million people), up from 12.1 percent (34.6 million people) in 2002 (DeNavas-Walt, Proctor, & Mills, 2004). Meeting nutritional needs is particularly troublesome for poor families: More than 12 million households (11.1 percent) have reported food-related hardships due to insufficient resources; 3.8 million (3.5 percent) households have reported experiencing hunger (Nord, Andrews, & Carlson, 2003). Further, households with children have been reported as being twice as likely to be food insecure, compared with households without children (Nord et al., 2003)., Background Food access is an important public policy issue across America, especially so in urban areas. The U.S. House Select Committee on Hunger studied shopping patterns of the poor and [...]

Background: Early initiation of alcohol or other substance use places adolescents at high risk for subsequent substance use disorders. Research on preventing substance use among Latino youth significantly lags behind the growth of this population.Objectives: To assess the effects of a family-based intervention on past 30-day substance use in a population of Latino early adolescents (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03642106).Methods: A first study followed a sample of 265 Latino adolescents (51% female) over 4 years (7th thru 10th grades) using an interrupted time series design to compare pre- to post-intervention trajectories. The second study compared post-trajectory slopes from the intervention group to a subsample of participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth (NLSY) who identified as Latino and were matched on age and gender. Both studies used a zero-inflated Poisson modeling approach.Results: A piecewise random intercept growth model showed non-significant differences between pre- to post-intervention trajectories for both the probability and frequency of alcohol (p =.30,.47) and tobacco use (p =.10,.37), and a significant increase in the probability of illegal drug use (p <.01) but not frequency (p =.65). The NLSY group significantly increased their probability of use across substances (all p <.01), and increased their frequency of use for alcohol (p <.05) and tobacco (p <.01).Conclusion: Longitudinal assessments comparing Latino youth to a non-equivalent control group indicate that strengthening family involvement in youths' schooling and promoting youth personal agency can prevent and/or reduce substance use during a developmental period in which use traditionally increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two focus group interviews with eight low-income Mexican fathers in two communities in a rural Midwestern state explored fathers' perceptions, behaviors, and roles related to child and family food consumption, mealtimes, and physical activity. On average, fathers were 34 years of age, had 10 years of formal education, and annual household incomes ranged from $36,250 to $46,249. Findings include the identification of fifteen themes through the process of thematic analysis that are organized by five thematic areas of interest (family food patterns, strategies for healthy eating, family roles in food shopping and preparation, family mealtimes, physical activity among families). Findings revealed ways fathers contributed to their children's and families' health and well-being, and challenges they faced. Health promotion efforts aimed at rural, low-income Mexican immigrant families can benefit from embracing fathers' perspectives and how they influence the health and well-being of their children and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research findings from Iowa describe, that although low-income families in Iowa continue to struggle, the state had success in aiding families move towards self-sufficiency. The success was rooted in programs, that emphasize flexibility with support and participant presence.