Family Influences on Mexican American Adolescents' Romantic Relationships: Moderation by Gender and Culture

• Published in: Journal of research on adolescence Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 142 - 158
• Main Authors: Tyrell, Fanita A., Wheeler, Lorey A., Gonzales, Nancy A., Dumka, Larry, Millsap, Roger
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescents; Child development; Childrearing practices; Conflict; Cultural factors; Discipline; Families & family life; Family relations; Family structure; Gender; Gender differences; Hispanic Americans; Home environment; Mexican Americans; Parental conflict; Parents & parenting; Romantic relationships; Sex differences; Teenagers; Youth
• ISSN: 1050-8392; 1532-7795
• DOI: 10.1111/jora.12177

This study examined prospective associations between the family context and adolescents’ romantic relationships as moderated by adolescents’ gender and culture among Mexican American families (N = 189). Adolescents at Time 1 (early adolescence) were on average 12.29 years of age (SD = 0.50) and 54% female. Mothers and fathers reported on family structure and dynamics during early adolescence, and youth reported on their romantic relationship involvement and quality during middle and late adolescence. Results from path analyses indicated that family structure and dynamics (supportive parenting, consistent discipline, and parent–adolescent and interparental conflict) were associated with adolescents’ romantic involvement and quality, and with differences by adolescents’ gender and culture. Findings highlight Mexican American family contexts that contribute uniquely to adolescents’ romantic relationships.