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About this paper symposium
| Panel information |
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| Panel 17. Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context |
| Paper #1 | |
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| Child Sleep Disparities across Immigration Generational Status: The Moderating Role of Family Socioeconomic Status | |
| Author information | Role |
| Meng-Run Zhang, Ph.D., Fordham University, United States | Presenting author |
| Yijie Wang, Michigan State University, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Zhenqiang Zhao, Fordham University, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Jinjin Yan, Fordham University, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Heining Cham, Fordham University, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Margarita Alegria, Massachusetts General Hospital, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Tiffany Yip, Fordham University, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Abstract | |
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Disparities in academic and behavioral outcomes have been observed among youth across immigrant generations, with later generations having less optimal developmental outcomes than earlier generations, also known as the immigrant paradox (García Coll & Marks, 2012). However, little is known about generational disparities in sleep, an essential bio-behavioral factor for children’s functioning and health (e.g., Shochat et al., 2014). Sleep is also linked to socioeconomic status (SES), with lower SES associated with shorter sleep duration and larger sleep variability (e.g., Doane et al., 2019). The combination of multiple social positions can shape children’s experiences and outcomes (Suárez-Orozco et al., 2018). But it remains unclear how generational status and SES interplay to shape child sleep. This study examined sleep disparities among first-generation (1st gen), second-generation (2nd gen), and third- or later generation (3rd gen+) children and whether family SES moderated sleep disparities by generational status. To provide a comprehensive assessment of sleep (Sadeh, 2015), both self-reported and actigraphy sleep data were obtained from the two-year follow-up (2018-2020) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. A national sample of 9,715 children (Mage = 11.47 years, 47.7% female; 211 1st gen, 2078 2nd gen, 7426 3rd gen+) reported their sleep duration, onset and offset times in the Youth Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (Zavada et al., 2005). A subsample of 3,719 children (Mage = 11.48 years; 49.2% female; 62 1st gen, 834 2nd gen, 2823 3rd gen+) received actigraphy assessment of sleep over three weeks using Fitbit Charge HR2 actigraphy watches (Haghayegh et al., 2019). The mean levels and variability of sleep duration, onset and offset times were calculated across the three weeks. Family SES was an estimated latent factor score indicated by parental education, employment status, and family economic hardship (see Table 1), with higher scores indicating higher SES. Using path analyses in Mplus 8.10 (Muthén & Muthén, 1998–2017), we first examined sleep disparities by generational status in the mean levels and variability in sleep duration, onset time, and offset time on weekdays and weekends, controlling for covariates relevant to sleep (see Table 1). Then, we examined the interactions between generational status and family SES in child sleep. Compared with 3rd gen+ children, 1st gen children reported longer weekend sleep duration; 2nd gen children exhibited longer weekday and weekend sleep duration, earlier weekend onset time, and smaller variability in weekday sleep duration, weekday and weekend onset time, and weekday offset time (Table 1). The 3rd gen+ children had poorer sleep than earlier generations. Lower family SES was associated with poorer child sleep (e.g., later onset time, shorter duration, larger variability; Table 2). Findings suggest that 3rd gen+ children from low SES families were at higher risk of poor sleep. Societal, cultural, and family factors (e.g., sleep norms, parent-set bedtimes; Giannotti & Cortesi, 2009) may explain such sleep disparities. This study highlights the need for considering the intersection of generational and socioeconomic backgrounds to better intervene to achieve sleep health equity. We will also explore how generational sleep disparities vary by race/ethnicity. |
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| Paper #2 | |
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| Cultural Risk and Resilience Profiles and Mexican-origin Adolescent Psychosocial Adjustment | |
| Author information | Role |
| Jinjin Yan, Ph.D., Fordham University, United States | Presenting author |
| Elizabeth Jelsma, University of Houston, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Su Yeong Kim, University of Texas at Austin, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Abstract | |
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Past literature has consistently shown that experiencing cultural risks, such as discrimination experiences and cultural estrangement, is associated with Mexican-origin adolescents’ maladjustment in multiple domains such as physical health, academics, and psychosocial adjustment (Cariello et al., 2020; Molina et al., 2019; Williams, 2018). Meanwhile, previous studies have demonstrated that cultural resilience, such as heritage cultural values and ethnic identity, serves as a cultural asset and is significantly associated with positive adjustment in Mexican-origin adolescents (Yan et al., 2020; Caqueo-Urízar et al., 2021). Nonetheless, past research has typically focused on these factors in isolation when testing their effects. Gaps persist in existing research due to the scarcity of research adopting person-centered approaches to comprehensively understand adolescent heterogeneity of cultural risk and resilience experiences. To address these gaps, the current study using a two-wave longitudinal dataset employs a person-centered approach to identify cultural risk and resilience profiles of Mexican-origin adolescents and examines the association between these profile memberships and psychosocial adjustment. Participants were 604 Mexican-origin adolescents (54% female, M = 12.41, SD = .97) residing in central Texas. Cultural risks at Wave 1 including daily discrimination, perceived ethnic discrimination, cultural estrangement, and foreigner stress, cultural resilience factors including family obligation values, ethnic identity resolution, exploration and centrality at Wave 1, psychosocial adjustment including depressive symptoms, life meaning, resilience, and sleep quality at Waves 1 and 2 were assessed for adolescents. Using latent profile analysis, four subgroups emerged based on eight indicators of cultural risk and resilience profiles at each wave: Low Resilience - Low Stress, Moderate Resilience - Low Stress, High Resilience - Low Stress, and Moderate Resilience - Moderate Stress (Figure 1). Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) results indicated that participants identified in the High Resilience - Low Stress profile reported the highest levels of sleep quality, life meaning, and resilience, as well as the lowest levels of depressive symptoms among the four groups. In contrast, Mexican-origin adolescents in both the Low Resilience - Low Stress and Moderate Resilience - Moderate Stress profiles tended to report the lowest levels of life meaning and resilience and the highest levels of depressive symptoms at Wave 1 (Figure 2). However, no longitudinal associations were found between cultural risk and resilience profiles and psychosocial adjustment, except for one finding: adolescents in the High Resilience - Low Stress group were more likely to report better sleep quality than those in the Moderate Resilience - Moderate Stress group. The findings suggest that Mexican-origin adolescents identified in the High Resilience - Low Stress profile benefit the most in terms of psychosocial adjustment. These results have important implications for future adjustment-promoting interventions, indicating that such programs should focus on the cultural experiences of Mexican-origin adolescents during early adolescence and include training that enhances their ability to cope with cultural risks by fostering cultural resilience. The next step in this study will be to identify the precursors from neighborhood context and family context that contribute to the formation of these distinct profiles. |
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| Paper #3 | |
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| Adaptive Reunification for Families with Early and Prolonged Parent-Child Separation: Insights from Separated-Reunited Parent-Child Dyads | |
| Author information | Role |
| Yinan Ding, Boston College, United States | Presenting author |
| Wenlan Mao, Boston College, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Xihan Yang, UMass Chan Medical School, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Shaobing Su, UMass Chan Medical School, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Abstract | |
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Early and prolonged parent-child separation (during ages 0-6 for over 6 months) is a global crisis that introduces traumatic experiences to children (referred to as “satellite babies”) and families. Satellite babies are children who are born in the U.S. by Chinese parents but are sent back to their home country (i.e., China) to be reared by extended families and brought back to the U.S. at school age to reunite with their parents. Satellite babies are likely to encounter a variety of difficulties, including family disruptions, depression, anxiety, and challenges in interpersonal relationships. However, research and services for families with satellite babies, especially low-income separated-reunited Chinese immigrant families, are limited. The present qualitative study explored separated-reunited parent-child (reunited for more than 5 years) dyads’ insights regarding positive post-reunification adaptation for newly reunited affected families (reunited within one year). Individual interviews were conducted with 24 separated-reunited children (ages 12-17, M = 14.26, SD = 1.85) and their primary caregivers (N = 24). Qualitative coding and thematic analysis were performed, and participants’ insights were categorized into (1) recommendations for parents to support children’s adaptive development and (2) parents’ and children’s perspectives of important aspects of newly reunited children’s development post-reunification. Timelines of pre- and post-reunification were also recorded in recommendations for parents. Results showed that: (1) both parents and children believed that English language learning support, a psychologically welcoming family environment, re-establishment of trusted parent-child relationships, parental acculturation support, and additional resources and support are crucial for newly reunited satellite babies’ healthy development. (2) Newly reunited parents were advised to strengthen parent-child communication and relationships, support their children’s mental health and acculturation, and seek parenting training. (3) The divergence between parents’ and children’s insights is observed. (4) Parents suggested avoiding or shortening separation length and tangible care (e.g., financial and material support). (5) In contrast, children emphasized the significance of caring for children’s psychological needs and engaging in family activities. (6) A recurring theme, establishing children’s friendships, was repeatedly mentioned by parents and children as both a recommendation for parents and an important aspect of children’s post-reunification development. Detailed results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Results provide insights for policymakers, educators, and social workers, who are suggested to develop culturally sensitive and affordable childcare, parenting training, language acquisition programs, and reunification assistance for low-income Chinese immigrant families. Future research is also needed to study the discrepancy between parents’ and children’s perspectives on parental support and children’s development. Tailored interventions for satellite babies, such as family and community-based supporting programs and networks, should also be established by integrating both parents’ and children’s insights. |
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| Paper #4 | |
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| Culturally Adapting Youth Mental Health First Aid training with Asian American Parents | |
| Author information | Role |
| Cixin Wang, Ph.D., University of Maryland, United States | Presenting author |
| Ami Patel, University of Maryland, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Mazneen Havewala, University of Maryland, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, University of Maryland, United States | Non-presenting author |
| Abstract | |
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Asian American (AA) youth experience more mental health difficulties than their non-Asian peers. Among AA youth in the U.S., suicide has been the first leading cause of death since 2016 (Curtin et al., 2024; Heron, 2018, 2019, 2021a, 2021b). Despite these alarming statistics, AA youth and adults are less likely to seek mental health services compared with other groups (Fox & Hanes, 2023). Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training may help address these disparities. Given its effectiveness for AAs is limited, it is essential to culturally adapt YMHFA for AA parents. This study sought to culturally adapt YMHFA following the Participatory Culture-Specific Consultation framework (i.e., collaborating with local AA organizations and gathering feedback from community stakeholders) to refine and evaluate the effectiveness of the training. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design with a control group, we recruited 137 AA parents (Mage = 47.5, SDage = 6.67) with children aged 8 to 19, and placed them in the immediate treatment group (n = 68) versus the waitlist control group (n = 69) based on their preferred training dates (Figure 1). We assessed whether participants in the immediate treatment group exhibited improvements in knowledge (mental health literacy), attitudes (toward seeking psychological services, help-seeking intentions, stigma, confidence in using first aid skills, intentions to use first aid skills), and behavior (mental health service use, engaging in first aid behaviors, and parenting/parent-child relationships). We also examined if these improvements persisted at the 4-month follow-up. We hypothesized that participants in the experimental group would show greater improvements one month post-training in all areas of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior compared to the waitlist control group. We expected these gains to be maintained at the 4-month follow-up for the experimental group. ANOVA results showed participants in the experimental group reported significant improvements in help-seeking intentions, confidence in using first aid skills, and intentions to engage in first aid skills to support youth with depression, and reduced stigma compared with the waitlist control group. In addition, results demonstrated significant improvements in mental health service utilization after the intervention, which is likely to improve youth mental health over time. Although our sample was small, improvements in attitudes and behaviors were maintained at the 4-month follow-up for the experimental group. However, there was no overall improvement in parents’ use of ALGEE steps, indicating a need for further research into barriers preventing their application (Table 1). Our study made significant contributions. It is the first to show the impact of YMHFA training on mental health service use among AA parents. Additionally, we recruited a diverse group of participants (41.2% of parents did not have a bachelor’s degree). The inclusion of participants with lower levels of education adds to the literature and suggests our culturally adapted intervention was able to reach less educated AA parents. Our study suggests that culturally adapted YMHFA training can effectively change attitudes and behaviors among AA families. |
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Immigration Stress, Resilience, and Cultural Adaptation: Research and Intervention for Asian and Mexican Immigrant Children
Submission Type
Paper Symposium
Description
| Session Title | Immigration Stress, Resilience, and Cultural Adaptation: Research and Intervention for Asian and Mexican Immigrant Children |