About this poster

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Panel information
Panel 6. Risk, Intervention, Prevention, and Action

Abstract

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Mexico holds the second largest population in Latin America (Statista Research Department, 2023) with over 24 million Mexicans living in rural settings (Macrotrends, 2023). Yet there is a paucity of research conducted with rural Mexicans, despite their increased risk for obesity (Popkin et al., 2012), inequitable health disparities, and high rates of mental health problems (Elliot et al., 2019). In order to dismantle inequities in research while effectively translating developmental science, it is imperative that research is conducted globally and with non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) societies. Indeed, Nielson and colleagues (2017) showed that high-impact-factor developmental journals heavily publish articles from WEIRD samples. An overreliance on data from WEIRD populations is detrimental to the interpretation and conclusions that are drawn when working with children and adolescents. Without taking into account culturally specific factors, we are not considering the unique developmental trajectories or resilience of children and adolescents from diverse countries. Despite calls for developmental psychologists to attend to global societal issues (Strohmeier, 2022), little research has been conducted in rural settings, such as Mexico. The current paper a) discusses the importance of conducting research with Mexican rural families and the implications it has for the dissemination of developmental science, b) outlines the methodological aprendizajes, or lessons, learned while conducting mixed methods research in rural Mexico and corresponding recommendations, and c) encourages developmental psychologists to conduct research with diverse global populations. Research with youth in Mexico is crucial to developing culturally sensitive and effective interventions for Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Mexicans living abroad in other countries. When working with rural populations it is important to note the following considerations: conceptualize and design a strengths-based study to avoid a deficit-based perspective, foster rapport with the community and establish collaborations with key stakeholders, encourage community-engaged research by involving participants in all aspects of the research process, and critically consider language variations by region. Researchers must also be open to mixed recruitment strategies (e.g., integrate convenience and snowball sampling methods, involve various recruitment sites) and ensure confidentiality amongst participants. It is important to ensure a mutually beneficial research relationship (i.e., disseminate study findings via a newsletter, lead workshops for the community, share a local resource list). We conclude by echoing previous calls to global action in research with diverse global populations to make meaningful impact and shape the future of developmental science that is truly inclusive of all global communities.

Author information

Author	Role
Sydni Davila, University of Pittsburgh	Presenting author
Grace Dupree, University of Pittsburgh, United States	Non-presenting author
Yakahiris Vazquez, University of Pittsburgh, United States	Non-presenting author
Andrea Mora, University of Pittsburgh, United States	Non-presenting author
Madison Mccray, University of Pittsburgh, United States	Non-presenting author

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