About this srcd poster session

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Panel information
Panel 14. Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

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Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to identify cultural practices in New Mexico (NM) in relation to self-reports of child maltreatment. Surveys of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) show that they can have significant mitigating effects on negative events, and the absence of PCEs in a child’s life may factor more heavily in negative adult outcomes than the presence of adversity (Crandell et al, Child Abuse Negl 2019). Cultural PCEs may be more readily accessible in communities where resources for specialized individual and family services are scarce. Cultural protective factors include a person’s sense of belonging to their community; cultural practices used in times of need; pride in one’s cultural heritage; and the importance attached to one’s first language or to ancestors. As one of only 4 U.S. states that is majority non-White, New Mexico is particularly culturally diverse, with 50.1% of residents reporting Hispanic ethnicity and 11.2% Native American. More than two-thirds of New Mexicans reside in a rural area.

Methods: We are surveying 1000 NM young adults (ages 18-22) who spent part or all of their childhoods in the state. Survey development, data analysis, and data interpretation are overseen by a culturally diverse advisory group, and results will be shared with community leaders for input prior to broader dissemination. We adapted cultural-level PCE questions taken from the Cultural Connectedness Scale and the Tribal Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey to reflect New Mexico’s culturally diverse population. The survey also asks about child maltreatment including society-level adversity (e.g. were you ever prevented from speaking your first language), and about adult health and social outcomes (trouble with completing usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, highest level of education, and ability to meet basic needs). We will use regression analyses to explore bivariate and multivariable relationships between cultural connectedness and the following key variables: demographics; child maltreatment experiences; and current health and social outcomes.

Results: We have received more than 500 survey responses to date. We anticipate completing data collection in late October, and analysis of results by January 1.

Conclusion: We anticipate that among respondents with histories of child maltreatment, cultural connectedness will be associated with more positive outcomes compared to people who do not feel culturally connected.

Significance: This is the first study that we know of to capture cultural protective factors among Hispanic and Native American populations as well as societal-level adverse effects on child maltreatment. Findings can be used to support positive cultural experiences, and acknowledge and address societal adverse experiences on culture, in order to reduce child maltreatment and promote child wellbeing.

Author information

Author	Role
Dr. Sara Nozadi, Ph.D., The University of New Mexico	Presenting author
Johnnye Lewis, The University of New Mexico	Non-presenting author
Gabriel Sanchez, The University of New Mexico	Non-presenting author

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