An Examination of Perceptions for Family Acculturation, Family Leisure Involvement, and Family Functioning among Mexican-Americans

• Main Author: Christenson, Owen D.
• Format: Others
• Published: BYU ScholarsArchive 2004
• Subjects: Hispanics; family cohesion; family adaptability; assimilation; chicano; latino; family perspectives; FACES II; recreation; core family leisure patterns; balance family leisure patterns; total family functioning; Spanish; familism; Recreation Business
• Online Access: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/131; https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1130&context=etd

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between acculturation and aspects of family functioning (cohesion and adaptability) and family leisure involvement from Mexican-American parent, youth, and family perspectives. Acculturation of parents, youth, and families was measured using the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (BAS). Family leisure involvement was measured using the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP). Aspects of family functioning were measured using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES II). Sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, generation, family size, income, and education were also used to help predict levels of acculturation for family perspectives. The sample was obtained from communities in Texas and Utah and consisted of 74 Mexican-American families, including a parent and child from each family. Differences were found in measures of family leisure involvement and family functioning between Mexican-Americans and normative samples of Anglo-Americans. Findings suggest that family leisure involvement, aspects of family functioning, and sociodemographic variables helped to predict parent, youth, and family perspectives of acculturation. The independent and sociodemographic variables also helped to discriminate levels of acculturation for parents, youth, and families. Recommendations are given for commercial and community recreation programs targeting Mexican-American families, in addition to implication for further research.