College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

Summer 6-21-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Antonio Polo, PhD

Second Advisor

Jocelyn Carter, PhD

Abstract

Latinx youth are at a disproportionate risk for developing internalizing symptoms. The Integrative Model for the Study of Developmental Competencies suggests that cultural values can serve as protective factors against the development of mental health problems. Much less is known about the impact of multiple cultural values and their combined effects on internalizing symptoms in Latinx youth. Moreover, since gender influences socialization and cultural value endorsement, additional research is needed to examine how cultural values may differentially protect boys’ and girls’ mental health. This study addresses these gaps by examining a) supportive familism’s moderational role in the relation between affiliative obedience and youth depression and anxiety; and b) gender as a moderator of these moderational effects. The sample includes 1,020 Latinx students (Mage = 11.5; SD = 1.0) recruited from ten public schools in Chicago. Results showed that supportive familism significantly moderated the relation between affiliative obedience and depression [b = .04 95% C.I. (.01, .07), p = .02]. Moreover, significant moderated moderation results were found, such that the lowest depression and anxiety levels were found among girls (but not boys) who had both high affiliative obedience and supportive familism. Results highlight the importance of considering both cultural values and gender when supporting Latinx youth and their families.

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