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- Title
- Examination of Attitude-Behavior Discrepancy in Familism and its Relation to Symptoms of Depression among Latinos.
- Creator
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Nicasio, Andel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Negy, Charles, Jentsch, Florian, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This research examines the discrepancy between attitudinal and behavioral familism and its relation to depressive symptoms. The overarching hypothesis was that discrepancy between family values and the actual experiences of those values influences psychological health. Previous research has primarily focused on self-report measures of familial attitudes, and not whether these values are actually experienced by the individual. To address this gap in the literature, this study developed a new...
Show moreThis research examines the discrepancy between attitudinal and behavioral familism and its relation to depressive symptoms. The overarching hypothesis was that discrepancy between family values and the actual experiences of those values influences psychological health. Previous research has primarily focused on self-report measures of familial attitudes, and not whether these values are actually experienced by the individual. To address this gap in the literature, this study developed a new behavioral familism scale. A total of 431 Latinos and non-Latino Whites from a large university in Florida participated in this study. Overall, the new behavioral familism scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. Test-retest reliability was established with a sample of 109 participants who completed the measures twice, two weeks apart. Test-retest reliability was high (r = .85) and excellent (ICC = .92) for the total composite score. The internal consistency was examined with a sample of 323 participants. Results showed good internal consistency for the total composite score (Cronbach Alpha = .85). The convergent validity was evaluated with another measure of familism, as well as measures of perceived social support and family environment. Correlation analyses indicated significant positive relationships with all related measures in the expected direction. The divergent validity was evaluated with measures of social desirability and acculturation. Correlation analyses indicated non-significant and low relationships with both measures as expected. Polynomial regression and response surface analyses demonstrated that discrepancy between attitudinal and behavioral familism scores predicted symptoms of depression in a sample of 118 Latinos. Specifically, this study found that depressive symptoms increased as the discrepancy between the total composite scores of attitudinal and behavioral familism increased in either direction. Furthermore, the discrepancy in the family interconnectedness subscale indicated that symptoms of depression increased when attitudinal family interconnectedness was higher than behavioral family interconnectedness, but not when the relationship was reversed. Discrepancies between attitudinal and behavioral familism total composite scores and subscales did not predict symptoms of anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the role that culturally specific variables, such as familism, play in the psychological health of Latinos.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006484, ucf:51438
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006484
- Title
- MEXICANS' AND UNITED STATES WHITES' COMMITMENT TO FAMILISM AND ITS RELATION WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT: A CROSS NATIONAL COMPARISON.
- Creator
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Lunt, Rachael, Negy, Charles, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Research has demonstrated that family of origin environment impacts outcomes for individuals; however, the extent to which attitudes toward family impact outcomes is less clear. One construct stemming from family studies is related to the importance and value individuals place on their nuclear and extended families of childhood. The construct, known as familism, encompasses multiple aspects of individuals' relationships with their childhood families. It has been suggested by some that...
Show moreResearch has demonstrated that family of origin environment impacts outcomes for individuals; however, the extent to which attitudes toward family impact outcomes is less clear. One construct stemming from family studies is related to the importance and value individuals place on their nuclear and extended families of childhood. The construct, known as familism, encompasses multiple aspects of individuals' relationships with their childhood families. It has been suggested by some that cultures that tend to be collectivistic (e.g., on-European-based cultures) tend to value family unity and loyalty relatively more than individualistic cultures (e.g., European-based cultures). The purpose of this study was to examine familism from a cross-national perspective. Specifically, Mexicans and non-Latino White Americans were compared on their levels of familism in relation to psychosocial adjustment. Broadly speaking, the goal was to determine if distinct cultural groups differ on familism, and if familism-feeling supported and a sense of solidarity with one's family-is associated with a less problematic behaviors and higher psychological adjustment. Individuals completed measures assessing familism as well as psychological adjustment and problematic behaviors (psychological well-being, empathy, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, somatization, alcohol misuse, aggressiveness, antisocial features, and history of criminal acts). Interestingly, results suggested that, in practical terms, Whites and Mexicans did not differ in their endorsement of levels of familism. For both groups, familism was correlated with psychological well-being and problem behaviors. Implications of these findings and areas for future research will be discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003172, ucf:48602
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003172
