Examining Two Structural Equation Models to Determine the Effect of Parental Practices and Familial Cultural Values on Mexican Adolescents’ Sexual Health

• Main Author: Velazquez, Efren A.
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2018
• Subjects: mexican adolescent; sexual health; SEM; Health Psychology
• Online Access: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5422; https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6499&context=etd

Sexual behavior is a normative part of adolescence and it is important to understand how familial factors influence Latina/o adolescents’ sexual health. The current study examined two structural equation models (SEM) and the associations between familial cultural values (i.e., familismo and filial piety), maternal and paternal monitoring (i.e., disclosure and solicitation) and Latina/o adolescent’s sexual behavior (i.e., intentions to have sex, sexual behavior, sexual responsibility). A hypothesized SEM examined whether paternal/maternal monitoring mediated the relation between familial cultural values and adolescents’ sexual health, while an alternative SEM examined whether familial cultural values mediated the association between paternal/maternal monitoring and adolescents’ sexual health. Participants included 1,024 Mexican adolescents (54% female) between the ages 12-18. Results showed that the overall hypothesized SEM had excellent fit indices. Filial piety was associated with favorable sexual health outcomes and increased parental monitoring. Maternal disclosure was associated with lower intention to have sex and more sexual responsibility, while paternal solicitation was associated higher intention to have sex. Sex differences were found after conducting a chi-square difference tests and partially constraining the model. For Latino adolescents, paternal child disclosure and solicitation was associated with intentions to have sex. For Latina adolescents, familismo was associated with more maternal disclosure. Mediational analysis showed that for Latino adolescents, more reported filial piety was associated with more paternal solicitation and disclosure, which was then associated with lower and higher intentions to have sex, respectively. The alternative SEM had excellent fit indices, however, no sex differences were found. Mediational analyses were conducted with the unconstrained model while controlling for sex. Mediational pathways showed that maternal disclosure was positively associated with filial piety, which was associated with lower intention to have sex sexual intention and more sexual responsibility. Findings indicate that family cultural values and paternal monitoring may influence Latino adolescent’s intention to have sex. Additionally, filial piety should be considered as a protective factor for Latina/o adolescents’ sexual health. These findings can inform prevention programs targeting Latina/o families. Furthermore, a greater emphasis should be placed on the importance paternal monitoring and filial piety given their associations with Latino adolescents’ sexual health.