The contribution of positive affect and loneliness on readiness and self-efficacy to quit smoking among Spanish-speaking Mexican American smokers.

BACKGROUND: The existing research on affective and interpersonal determinants of smoking cessation largely under-represents minority smokers, such as Latinos. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined associations between affective and interpersonal factors with intermediary smoking cessation variables among Mexican-American smokers (N = 290; 60% male). METHODS: Measures of positive and negative affect, social support, and loneliness were each examined for associations with measures of motivational readiness to quit smoking, and smoking abstinence self-efficacy. Significant predictors were entered into models simultaneously to examine their unique associations. Covariates included gender, age, and educational attainment. RESULTS: Negative affect (b = .68, SE b = .14, p < .001) and loneliness (b = .20, SE b = .09, p < .05) were independently associated with motivation. Negative affect (b = .20, SE b = .06, p < .01) and positive affect (b = .34 SE b = .07, p < .001) were independently associated with self-efficacy. In the final models, only negative affect was associated with motivation (b = .68, SE b = .17, p < .001); whereas negative (b = .17, SE b = .06, p < .01) and positive (b = . 32, SE b = .07, p < .001) affect were associated with self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Results highlight the importance of resilience factors (e.g., positive affect) among Mexican-American smokers. Cessation interventions regularly target negative affect among smokers; additional focus on positive affect in cessation interventions with this population may be warranted.

Improving Spanish translations of tobacco dependence measures using cognitive interviewing.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive interviewing is the practice of systematically collecting feedback about survey items from members of the priority population, with the goal of identifying and rectifying problems to increase the comprehensibility of the survey. Evidence is limited on the extent to which this method of pretesting improves survey items. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the utility of incorporating cognitive interviewing to improve the Spanish translations of two measures of tobacco dependence. METHODS: Items from the Spanish versions of the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (68 items) and Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (19 items) were subjected to cognitive interviews with Spanish-speaking smokers. Problematic items were revised based on participant feedback and re-assessed in a second round of interviews (N = 23, 78.3% male; 21.7% female). RESULTS: Twenty-three of the 87 items demonstrated comprehension problems, and 67 items elicited at least one problem report. Number of problems were significantly fewer pre- vs. post-revision (t [90] = 6.55, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In combination with standard translation procedures, cognitive interviewing with the priority population appears to be a useful method for ensuring comprehensible and relevant item content.

RESUMEN Contexto: La entrevista cognitiva es la práctica de recopilar sistemáticamente información sobre los elementos de la encuesta de los miembros de la población prioritaria, con el objetivo de identificar y rectificar problemas para aumentar la comprensibilidad de la encuesta. La literatura científica existente es limitada en la medida en que este método de pruebas preliminares mejora los elementos de la encuesta. Objetivo: El estudio actual examinó la utilidad de incorporar entrevistas cognitivas para mejorar las traducciones al español de dos medidas de dependencia del tabaco. Métodos: Los elementos de las versiones en español del Inventario de Motivos de Dependencia del Fumar de Wisconsin (68 elementos) y la Escala del Síndrome de Dependencia de Nicotina (19 elementos) fueron sometidos a entrevistas cognitivas con fumadores hispanohablantes. Los ele-mentos problemáticos se revisaron basándose en la retroalimentación de los participantes y se reevaluaron en una segunda ronda de entrevistas (N = 23, 78,3% hombres; 21,7% mujeres). Resultados: Veintitrés de los 87 elementos demostraron problemas de comprensión, y 67 elementos presentaron por lo menos un reporte de problemas. El número de problemas fue significativamente menos antes y después de la revisión (t [90] = 6,55, p < 001). Conclusión: En combinación con los procedimientos de traducción estándar, las entrevistas cogni-tivas con la población prioritaria parecen ser un método útil para garantizar un contenido com-prensible y relevante para cada elemento.

Sibling relationships among U.S. citizen children of undocumented Mexican parents.

Current U.S. immigration policies disproportionately impact Mexican-origin mixed-status families, yet few studies examine the consequences of immigration enforcement (e.g., immigration-related arrest and detention) and deportation on sibling dynamics. Given this gap, this study focuses on the experiences and changes within sibling relationships in the aftermath of parental detention and deportation. We analyzed a subsample of 20 citizen children interviews (7 sibling dyads; 2 sibling triads) from a multi-site binational study that examined the psychosocial functioning of U.S. citizen children with undocumented Mexican parents. Using inductive thematic analysis, we explored the roles and functional importance of sibling relationships before and after experiences of parents' detention and deportation. Our findings suggest that prior to detention or deportation experiences, sibling relationships were described as "normal." After these experiences, however, sibling relationships changed and developed protective adaptations, including more open communication about their experiences and the assumption of caregiving roles. In cases where deportation did not occur, there still existed the threat of future immigration-related action, which contributed to fear and an inability to share feelings and experiences among siblings. Our findings suggest that sibling relationships might serve as an important locus of stability and protection. Yet, adaptive communication may not emerge as long as the threat of apprehension, detention, and deportation exists.

Las políticas migratorias actuales de los Estados Unidos afectan de manera desproporcionada a las familias de condición migratoria mixta de origen mexicano, sin embargo, pocos estudios analizan las consecuencias de la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración (por ej.: el arresto y la detención relacionados con la inmigración) y la deportación en la dinámica fraternal. Teniendo en cuenta esta falta de datos, el presente estudio se centra en las experiencias y los cambios dentro de las relaciones fraternales después de la detención y la deportación de los padres. Analizamos una submuestra de 20 entrevistas a niños ciudadanos (7 díadas de hermanos; 2 tríadas de hermanos) de un estudio binacional realizado en varios sitios que analizó el funcionamiento psicosocial de niños ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos con padres mexicanos indocumentados. Utilizando el análisis temático inductivo, analizamos los roles y la importancia funcional de las relaciones fraternales antes y después de las experiencias de detención y deportación de los padres. Nuestros resultados indican que, antes de las experiencias de detención o deportación, las relaciones fraternales se describieron como "normales". Sin embargo, después de estas experiencias, las relaciones fraternales cambiaron y surgieron adaptaciones protectoras, por ejemplo, una comunicación más abierta acerca de sus experiencias y la asunción de roles de cuidado. En los casos donde no hubo deportación, igualmente existió la amenaza de una futura acción relacionada con la inmigración, la cual generó miedo e incapacidad de compartir sentimientos y experiencias entre hermanos. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las relaciones fraternales podrían servir como lugar importante de estabilidad y protección. Sin embargo, es posible que la comunicación adaptativa no surja mientras exista la amenaza de arresto, detención y deportación.

Parenting in the Midst of Adversity: Tailoring a Culturally Adapted Parent Training Intervention According to the Parenting Experiences of Mexican-Origin Caregivers.

Although parent training (PT) interventions are considered the gold standard for preventing externalizing behaviors in children and youth, their dissemination in low-income Latina/o immigrant communities continues to be scarce throughout the United States (US). An alternative to address this gap in service delivery consists of implementing culturally adapted PT interventions characterized by cultural and contextual relevance. Thus, the main objective of this qualitative study was to document salient immigration-related experiences, as well as parenting needs and challenges, as reported by 30 low-income Mexican-origin immigrant caregivers residing in an urban setting in the Southern United States. The research methodology was guided by the tenets of the Thematic Analysis approach, which involved collecting data through a series of focus group interviews. Qualitative research findings highlight the importance of culturally and contextually tailoring adapted PT prevention interventions, prior to their delivery in contexts that differ from those in which interventions were originally adapted. Specifically, parents in the current investigation provided detailed accounts of immigration-related stressors that are highly relevant to inform recruitment procedures, intervention curriculum, and intervention delivery activities.

Aunque las intervenciones de capacitaciones para padres se consideran la norma de oro para prevenir los comportamientos de externalización en los niños y los jóvenes, su difusión en las comunidades de inmigrantes latinos de bajos recursos continúa siendo escasa en todo Estados Unidos. Una alternativa para minimizar esta brecha en la prestación del servicio consiste en implementar intervenciones de capacitación para padres adaptadas culturalmente que se caractericen por la relevancia cultural y contextual. Por lo tanto, el objetivo principal de este estudio cualitativo fue documentar las experiencias destacadas relacionadas con la inmigración, así como las necesidades y las dificultades de la crianza, según lo informado por 30 cuidadores inmigrantes de origen mexicano y de bajos recursos que viven en un entorno urbano en el sur de EE. UU. La metodología de investigación estuvo guiada por los principios del método del análisis temático, que consistió en recopilar datos mediante una serie de entrevistas a grupos de análisis. Los resultados de la investigación cualitativa destacan la importancia de amoldar culturalmente y contextualmente las intervenciones preventivas y adaptadas de capacitación para padres antes de su implementación en contextos distintos a aquellos a los que fueron adaptadas originalmente. Específicamente, los padres de la investigación actual explicaron detalladamente los factores de estrés relacionados con la inmigración que son sumamente relevantes para preparar los procedimientos de captación, el currículo de intervención y las actividades de implementación de la intervención.

Creative Technology-Based Strategies for Engaging Young People with Serious Mental Health Conditions in Longitudinal Mental Health Services Research.

A better understanding of the transition from child to adult community mental health services is important given the high rates of service drop-out. Conducting longitudinal research is challenging during a major service provider change. Developmentally-typical transition-to-adulthood instability can deter study engagement. This study examines the efficacy of creative technology-based strategies to recruit and engage adolescents and young adults (AYA) with serious mental health diagnoses in a qualitative study during their transition from child to adult services. Participants were recruited from one agency to complete three in-depth qualitative interviews and monthly surveys exploring mental health service experiences over 12-months. Participants received a smartphone and data plan for 6-months at initial interview, $50 at 6-month interview and $55 at 12-month interview. Four research assistants used a shared Google Voice account to text monthly online surveys and to communicate with participants. 19 participants enrolled; 74% remained enrolled across the 12-months. Smartphones and data plans were not effective in recruiting nor sustaining study engagement for most participants. Participants preferred a mix of texting and phone calls to prompt study engagement; 60% of online surveys were completed. Unanticipated participant-researcher communication outside of research scope suggests that the formation of strong relationships and additional support during this transitional time is critical for sustained study engagement. Study findings have practical implications for social work longitudinal research design and effective study implementation. Future social work research is warranted on innovative strategies to boost study and service engagement among AYA with serious co-occurring mental health and developmental instability.

Associations of Acculturation and Gender with Obesity and Physical Activity among Latinos.

Objective: Latinos disproportionately experience overweight/obesity (OWOB) and insufficient physical activity (PA), which are risk factors for numerous health conditions. Whereas numerous studies investigate acculturation as a determinant of OWOB and PA, few have examined acculturation multidimensionally, and none has examined its interaction with gender. Methods: Participants were 140 Latino adults. Primary outcomes were status as OWOB and endorsement of insufficient PA. Acculturation was measured with the Multidimensional Acculturation Scale II. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between each acculturation scale and outcome, controlling for education, nativity, and smoking status. Results: Greater Spanish proficiency was significantly associated with lower odds of insufficient PA. Greater American Cultural Identity was significantly associated with higher odds of OWOB. Women had significantly higher odds of endorsing insufficient PA compared to men. Gender did not moderate the relationship between acculturation and either OWOB or PA. Conclusions: Acculturation is similarly associated with OWOB and insufficient PA for Latino men and women. Cultural identity may need to be considered to target OWOB interventions. Acculturation may be less important, and gender more important, to consider for appropriate targeting of PA interventions.

Associations of positive and negative affect on health risk behaviors among Latinos.

OBJECTIVE: Negative affect is widely emphasized in behavior modification interventions. However, positive affect is associated with smoking cessation, physical activity, and healthy dietary habits and may be an important treatment target. Few studies have examined the relationship between positive affect and health behaviors among Latinos, who disproportionately experience modifiable health risk behaviors. This study examined the independent associations of positive affect and negative affect on modifiable health risk behaviors among Latino adults. METHOD: Data came from 432 persons who participated in one of two studies examining determinants of modifiable health risk behaviors among Latino adults. Primary outcomes were current smoking, at-risk drinking, insufficient physical activity, and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption. Predictors were positive and negative affect as measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Associations between positive and negative affect and health risk behaviors were examined using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Positive affect was associated with lower odds of insufficient physical activity and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption and lower odds of engaging in multiple health risk behaviors. Negative affect was associated with higher odds of at-risk drinking and current smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Emphasis on increasing positive affect may be warranted for multiple health risk behavior interventions targeting Latinos. Intervention development efforts may also consider prioritizing positive affect for physical activity and dietary interventions, and negative affect for at-drinking and smoking cessation interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).