Gender, romantic relationships and sexual health in Mexico: Parents' experiences of discussion with their children.

A focus on promoting sexual health and preventing sexual violence remains largely unaddressed in most evidence-based parenting prevention programmes, despite the promise of success in addressing these topics after foundational parenting practices have been strengthened. The primary objective of this study was to understand how Mexican family and gender values shape the way families in Mexico City approach discussion of sexual health and violence with their adolescent children. The goal was to inform the development of a culturally relevant sexual health promotion and violence prevention module to add to an existing parenting intervention. During focus groups with 17 mothers and 3 fathers who had recently completed a parenting intervention, five major themes were identified: mediating messages from the outside world; the view that dads are not part of sex education; the belief that romantic relationships spell trouble; gender differences in responsibility and fear; and comfort talking about condoms. Findings indicate that caregivers adopt different approaches to education about sexual health and the prevention of sexual violence according to whether their adolescent is a boy or a girl. These differential approaches were primarily informed by cultural and contextual influences. Strategies for more overtly addressing gender relations in parenting interventions for sexual health promotion and violence prevention are discussed.

Building a nest in a storm: The impact of immigration-related stress on Latino mothers' parenting.

Latina/o immigrant mothers in the United States (U.S.) often experience discrimination, which results in deleterious impacts on their parenting practices. Because of the cumulative impact of immigration-related stress, there is a need for research aimed at identifying specific contextual stressors that have the greatest impact on Latina/o immigrant parenting. Further, given significant barriers to access mental health services, there is an urgency to comprehend how pre-existing family strengths might counteract these parenting shortcomings in Latina/o families. Accordingly, we examined in these investigation-specific pathways through which immigration-related stress affects maternal parenting practices, and how emotional and relational processes within families might act as predecessors to positive parenting practices within a context of adversity. This study is embedded within a larger program of research aimed at culturally adapting evidence-based parenting programs for low-income Latina/o immigrants. Our sample consisted of 71 Mexican-origin Latina/o mothers, residents of an urban setting in the Midwest. According to Bayesian estimated path analysis, immigration-related stress was associated with parenting stress and emotional support, while emotional support, parenting stress, and the co-parenting alliance were associated with positive parenting practices. Indirect effects demonstrate that immigration-related stress is negatively associated with positive parenting practices when mediated by parenting stress and emotional support. Current findings highlight the need to carefully examine the impact of immigration-related stress on the parenting practices of Latina/o immigrant families and the need to inform parent training interventions accordingly.

Sexual Harassment at Institutions of Higher Education: Prevalence, Risk, and Extent.

Sexual harassment is a pervasive problem on college campuses. Across eight academic campuses, 16,754 students participated in an online study that included questions about sexual harassment victimization by a faculty/staff member or by a peer since enrollment at their Institution of Higher Education (IHE). Utilizing an intersectional theory and hurdle models, this study explored the effects of gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, age at enrollment, student status, and time spent at institution on students' risk for peer- and faculty/staff-perpetrated sexual harassment victimization, as well as the extent of victimization for students who experience harassment. Across institutions, 19% of students reported experiencing faculty/staff-perpetrated sexual harassment and 30% reported experiencing peer-perpetrated sexual harassment. Hypotheses related to intersectional impacts were partially supported, with most significant findings in main effects. Time at institution was found to increase both risk and extent of victimization of both types of harassment. Traditional undergraduate students, non-Latinx White students, female students, and gender and sexual minority students were found to be at increased risk for harassment. Being female increases the odds of experiencing both faculty/staff and peer sexual harassment by 86% and 147%, respectively. Latinx students and students with an ethnicity other than White reported less victimization, but those who reported sexual harassment faced greater extent of harassing behaviors. A discussion of these findings for institutional program planning and policy is explored.

From Theory to Practice: On the Ground Cultural Adaption of a Parenting Intervention for Ethnic Minority Families Involved in the Child Welfare System.

Child maltreatment is a major public health issue in the United States. In the federal fiscal year 2017, approximately 7.5 million children were referred to child welfare services (CSW) in the nation. Developmental, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems are prevalent among children referred to CWS. For those in foster care, temporary or permanent placement frequently introduces additional instability into a child's already chaotic life, increasing their risk for deleterious physical and mental health outcomes. Limited research exists documenting the impact of efficacious culturally adapted parent training (PT) interventions aimed at serving low-income ethnic minority families involved in CWS. The objective of this study was twofold: to explicate how a culturally adapted PT intervention for diverse families involved in CWS was perceived by participants and to better understand how interventionists adapted to families' needs. In this study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 14 parents who had completed the adapted intervention, as well as all of the interventionists providing the intervention. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze and interpret the data. Parents indicated the positive impact that the intervention had on enhancing their parenting skills, as well as their ability to cope with the challenges associated with having a child removed by CWS. Interventionists described the gradual adaptations they implemented, in an effort to increase its cultural and contextual relevance. Research findings are relevant to the family therapy field as they increase understanding about culturally adapted PT interventions for ethnic minority families within CWS contexts.

El maltrato infantil es un gran problema de salud pública en los Estados Unidos. En el año fiscal federal 2017, se derivó a aproximadamente 7.5 millones de niños a servicios de bienestar infantil en el país. Entre los niños derivados a los servicios de bienestar infantil predominan los problemas emocionales, conductuales y del desarrollo. En los niños que están en acogida, su ubicación temporaria o permanente con frecuencia suma inestabilidad a la vida ya caótica de un niño, lo cual incrementa su riesgo de sufrir consecuencias perjudiciales en su salud mental y física. Existen escasas investigaciones que documentan los efectos de intervenciones eficaces con capacitaciones para padres culturalmente adaptadas y orientadas a asistir a familias de minorías étnicas de bajos recursos implicadas en servicios de bienestar infantil. El objetivo de este estudio fue doble: explicar cómo los participantes de una intervención con una capacitación de padres culturalmente adaptada para familias diversas implicadas en los servicios de bienestar infantil percibieron esta intervención y comprender mejor cómo los intervencionistas se adaptaron a las necesidades de las familias. En este estudio realizamos entrevistas detalladas con 14 padres que habían realizado la intervención adaptada, así como con todos los intervencionistas que llevaron a cabo la intervención. Se utilizó un método de análisis temático para analizar e interpretar los datos. Los padres indicaron el efecto positivo que tuvo la intervención en la mejora de sus habilidades de crianza, así como en su capacidad de afrontar las dificultades que surgen cuando los servicios de bienestar infantil les sacan un hijo. Los intervencionistas describieron las adaptaciones graduales que implementaron con el objetivo de aumentar su relevancia cultural y contextual. Los resultados de la investigación son relevantes para el área de la terapia familiar, ya que amplían el conocimiento sobre las intervenciones con capacitaciones para padres culturalmente adaptadas y orientadas a familias de minorías étnicas dentro del contexto de los servicios de bienestar infantil.

Addressing Immigration-Related Stress in a Culturally Adapted Parenting Intervention for Mexican-Origin Immigrants: Initial Positive Effects and Key Areas of Improvement.

Culturally adapted evidence-based parenting interventions constitute a key strategy to reduce widespread mental health disparities experienced by Latinx populations throughout the United States. Most recently, the relevance of culturally adapted parenting interventions has become more prominent as vulnerable Latinx populations are exposed to considerable contextual stressors resulting from an increasingly anti-immigration climate in the country. The current study was embedded within a larger NIMH-funded investigation, aimed at contrasting the differential impact of two culturally adapted versions of the evidence-based parenting intervention known as GenerationPMTO©. Specifically, a sample of low-income Mexican-origin immigrants was exposed either to a culturally adapted version of GenerationPMTO primarily focused on parent training components, or to an enhanced culturally adapted version in which parenting components were complemented by sessions focused on immigration-related challenges. The sample for the study consisted of 103 Mexican-origin immigrant families (190 individual parents). Descriptive analysis and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) indicated that exposure to the enhanced intervention, which included context- and culture-specific sessions, resulted in specific benefits for parents. However, the magnitude of the impact was not uniform for mothers and fathers and differed according to the type of immigration-related stress being examined (i.e., intrafamilial vs. extrafamilial stress). Overall, findings indicate the relevance of overtly addressing contextual (e.g., discrimination) and cultural challenges in culturally adapted interventions, as well as the need to increase precision according to the extent to which immigration-related stressors impact immigrant mothers and fathers in common and contrasting ways. Implications for family therapy practice and research are discussed.

Las intervenciones basadas en evidencia, dirigidas a padres y adaptadas a la cultura son una estrategia clave para reducir las desigualdades en salud mental generalizadas que las poblaciones de latin@s experimentan en los Estados Unidos. Más recientemente, la relevancia de intervenciones dirigidas a padres adaptadas a la cultura ha adquirido más peso al estar las poblaciones de latin@s expuestas a factores estresantes contextuales considerables como resultado de un ambiente cada vez más contrario a la inmigración en el país. Este estudio fue incluido dentro de una investigación de mayor escala financiada por NIMH cuyo objetivo era contrastar el impacto diferencial de dos versiones adaptadas a la cultura de la intervención basada en evidencia y dirigida a padres conocida como GenerationPMTO© . En específico, se expuso una muestra de inmigrantes de origen mexicano de bajo ingreso, o a una versión de GenerationPMTO adaptada a la cultura y enfocada principalmente en elementos de entrenamiento de padres, o a una versión reforzada adaptada a la cultura en la cual los elementos de padres se complementaron con sesiones enfocadas en retos asociados a la inmigración. La muestra para el estudio consistió de 103 familias inmigrantes de origen mexicano (190 padres individuales). Análisis descriptivos y ecuaciones de estimación generalizadas indicaron que la exposición una intervención reforzada, que incluía sesiones contextual y culturalmente específicas, generaron beneficios específicos para los padres. Sin embargo, la magnitud del impacto no fue uniforme para madres y padres y fue distinta según el tipo de estrés por inmigración examinado (p.ej., estrés intrafamiliar versus estrés extrafamiliar). En general, los hallazgos indican la relevancia de enfrentar abiertamente retos contextuales (p.ej., discriminación) y culturales en intervenciones adaptadas a la cultura, así como la necesidad de aumentar la precisión conforme a cómo los factores estresantes asociados a la inmigración afectan a madres y padres inmigrantes de la misma y diferentes maneras. Se discuten las implicaciones para la práctica e investigación de terapia familiar.

Disseminating the Community Advocacy Project in Mexico: A Feasibility Study.

The Community Advocacy Project is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to lead to numerous positive changes in the lives of intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. Prior research conducted in the Midwest United States, and with primarily African American and Anglo American survivors, has shown that this short-term, community-based advocacy intervention results in increased safety and quality of life even 2 years after the intervention ends. The current study describes the process of culturally adapting and disseminating this program in Monterrey, Mexico, with a sample of low-income Mexican IPV survivors exposed to a variety of considerable contextual stressors. Interviews were conducted with advocates, advocate supervisors, and survivors to examine the acceptability and utility of the intervention. Twenty-seven IPV survivors, seven advocates, and four advocate supervisors participated in the intervention research. Advocates and their supervisors were highly laudatory, believing the intervention to be culturally relevant and effective. Encouraging changes were found for survivors as well, with positive changes over time being found on safety, quality of life, social support, and depression.

Epidemiological research on parent-child conflict in the United States: subgroup variations by place of birth and ethnicity, 2002-2013.

BACKGROUND: Chronically escalated parent-child conflict has been observed to elicit maladaptive behavior and reduced psychological well-being in children and youth. In this epidemiological study, we sought to estimate the occurrence of escalated parent-child conflict for United States (US) adolescent subgroups defined by (a) ethnic self-identification, and (b) nativity (US-born versus foreign-born). METHODS: US study populations of 12-to-17-year-olds were sampled, recruited, and assessed for the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2002-2013 (n = 111, 129). Analysis-weighted contingency table analyses contrasted US-born versus foreign-born who self-identified as: (a) Hispanic, (b) non-Hispanic African-American, (c) non-Hispanic Asian, and (c) non-Hispanic White. RESULTS: Frequently escalated parent-child conflict was most prevalent among US-born non-Hispanic White adolescents, from 18% at age 12 (95% CI [17.6%, 18.9%]) to 29% at age 17 (95% CI [28.3%, 29.7%]), followed by US-born Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian children. Estimated prevalence proportions were markedly lower for African-American children, from 8% at age 12 (95% CI [6.8, 8.5]) to 16% at age 17 (95% CI [14.3, 16.7]). Broad and sometimes overlapping CI indicate that larger sample sizes are needed for complete evaluation of an apparent excess occurrence of frequent parent-child conflict among US-born versus foreign-born. Nonetheless, in the larger subgroups, the US-born show a clear excess occurrence of frequent parent-child conflict. For example, US-born Mexican children have 1.7 times higher odds of experiencing frequent parent-child conflict than foreign-born Mexican children (OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.5, 2.0], p-value < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The main discovery from this multi-ethnic sample investigation is a rank-ordering of parent-child conflict prevalence estimates from high (non-Hispanic White) to low (non-Hispanic African-American). The pattern also suggests a possibly generalizable excess associated with US-born sub-groups. The epidemiological estimates presented here merit attention in future cross-cultural research focused on parent-child conflict.

Different Strokes for Different Folks? Contrasting Approaches to Cultural Adaptation of Parenting Interventions.

Relevant achievements have been accomplished in prevention science with regard to disseminating efficacious parenting interventions among underserved populations. However, widespread disparities in availability of parenting services continue to negatively impact diverse populations in high-income countries (e.g., the USA) and low- and middle-income countries. As a result, a scholarly debate on cultural adaptation has evolved over the years. Specifically, some scholars have argued that in diverse cultural contexts, existing evidence-based parenting interventions should be delivered with strict fidelity to ensure effectiveness. Others have emphasized the need for cultural adaptations of interventions when disseminated among diverse populations. In this paper, we propose that discussions on cultural adaptation should be conceptualized as a "both-and," rather than an "either-or" process. To justify this stance, we describe three distinct parenting intervention projects to illustrate how cultural adaptation and efficacy of evidence-based interventions can be achieved using contrasting approaches and frameworks, depending on cultural preferences and available resources of local contexts. Further, we suggest the need to develop guidelines for consistent reporting of cultural adaptation procedures as a critical component of future investigations. This discussion is relevant for the broader public health field and prevention science.

Latinos' Access to Online and Formal Mental Health Support.

Research on mental health services disparities affecting minority populations of the USA tends to neglect online mental health support (OMHS). The main objective of this study was to investigate online mental health support and help-seeking of Latino citizens living in US communities by estimating associations linking OMHS with a selection of individual and community variables. In addition, the extent to which unmet mental health treatment needs among adults are associated with key variables was examined. Variables of interest included economic resources, health insurance and coverage, confidentiality, perceived stigma, and accessibility. Data are from 39,630 Latino adult participants in the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2004-2010. Results indicate that for every 10,000 US Latino adults, fewer than 25 individuals received recent OMHS, as compared to a recently published estimate of 270-330 per 10,000 for the US population generally. Among Latinos with self-described unmet mental health needs, an estimated 40% identified cost of treatment as a prominent barrier that explained why they had not received formal mental health treatment services. Research and policy health disparities implications are discussed.

A Balancing Act: Integrating Evidence-Based Knowledge and Cultural Relevance in a Program of Prevention Parenting Research with Latino/a Immigrants.

Family therapists have a unique opportunity to contribute toward the reduction of widespread mental health disparities impacting diverse populations by developing applied lines of research focused on cultural adaptation. For example, although evidence-based prevention parent training (PT) interventions have been found to be efficacious with various Euro-American populations, there is a pressing need to understand which specific components of PT interventions are perceived by ethnic minority parents as having the highest impact on their parenting practices. Equally important is to examine the perceived cultural relevance of adapted PT interventions. This qualitative investigation had the primary objective of comparing and contrasting the perceived relevance of two culturally adapted versions of the efficacious parenting intervention known as Parent Management Training, the Oregon Model (PMTO). According to feasibility indicators provided by 112 Latino/a immigrant parents, as well as findings from a qualitative thematic analysis, the core parenting components across both adapted interventions were identified by the majority of research participants as relevant to their parenting practices. Participants exposed to the culturally enhanced intervention, which included culture-specific sessions, also reported high satisfaction with components exclusively focused on cultural issues that directly impact their parenting practices (e.g., immigration challenges, biculturalism). This investigation illustrates the relevant contributions that family therapy scholars can offer toward addressing mental health disparities, particularly as it refers to developing community-based prevention interventions that achieve a balance between evidence-based knowledge and cultural relevance.

Closing The Gap between Two Countries: Feasibility of Dissemination Of An Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention in México.

In this manuscript, we describe the initial steps of an international program of prevention research in Monterrey, México. Specifically, we present a feasibility study focused on exploring the level of acceptability reported by a group of Mexican mothers who were exposed to a culturally adapted parenting intervention originally developed in the United States. The efficacious intervention adapted in this investigation is known as Parent Management Training, the Oregon Model (PMTO(®)). Following a description of our international partnership, we describe the implementation of the pilot study aimed at determining initial feasibility. Qualitative data provided by 40 Mexican mothers exposed to the culturally adapted parenting intervention illustrate the participants' high level of receptivity toward the intervention, as well as the beneficial impact on their parenting practices.

'They don't look at what affects us': the role of ecodevelopmental factors on alcohol and drug use among Latinos with physical disabilities.

Objectives. Latinos with disabilities disproportionately report substance use, including binge drinking and drug use. Ecodevelopmental factors, including socioeconomic patterning of poverty, social exclusion, and post-colonial racism, have been shown to impact alcohol and drug use. However, this line of research remains underdeveloped among Latinos with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to obtain rich descriptions of the role of ecodevelopmental factors, including family and community, on alcohol and drug use among Latinos with physical disabilities. Methods. We utilized a community-based participatory research design, in conjunction with an innovative methodology referred to as photovoice. Three rounds of photography and focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 17 focus groups. Reflections in each focus group interview were aloud and digitally audiotaped. A total of 28 participants 19-35 years of age (mean age = 27.65, SD = 5.48) participated in each round of photography and focus group interviews. Data analyses followed the tenets of descriptive phenomenology. Results. Findings highlight ecodevelopmental family and community risk and protective factors. At the family level, participants reflected on the ways in which family functioning, including family support, communication, and cohesion, can serve as risk and promotive factors for alcohol and drug use. Additionally, participants described in detail how experiences of poverty, stigma and discrimination, violence, accessibility to alcohol and drugs, accessibility for persons with disabilities, transportation, community support and cohesion, and access to health and mental health services constitute risk and promotive factors at the community level. Conclusion. Findings are suggestive of how ecodevelopmental family and community factors might increase the risk of alcohol and drug use among Latinos with physical disabilities. From this qualitative research, we derive a series of testable hypotheses. For example, future studies should examine the impact of family functioning on alcohol and drug use among Latinos with physical disabilities over time. Study findings may have great utility to inform the development of preventive interventions for this at-risk group.

Prevalence of intimate partner violence and associated risk factors among Latinos/as: an exploratory study with three Latino subpopulations.

This study seeks to contribute to the limited literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) with Latino populations by analyzing national estimates of prevalence of and risk factors for IPV across the three largest Latino subgroups: Cuban-Origin, Mexican-Origin, and Puerto Ricans. Results showed that foreign-born Mexicans reported the highest rates of IPV compared with foreign-born Cubans and Puerto Ricans; Latinas with higher levels of education and employment reported higher levels of IPV; and foreign-born Mexicans reported a higher rate of less injurious IPV than their U.S.-born counterparts. These findings highlight the need to inform programs of varying nature of Latinas experiencing IPV.

Diversity, social justice, and intersectionality trends in C/MFT: a content analysis of three family therapy journals, 2004-2011.

In this study, we analyzed the amount of attention given to diversity, social justice, and an intersectional approach to social inequalities over an 8-year period (769 articles) in three family therapy journals. Overall, 28.1% of articles addressed at least one diversity issue, and a social justice framework was utilized in 48.1% of diversity articles. A systemic, intersectional approach to conceptualizing and analyzing multiple social inequalities was utilized in 17.6% of diversity articles. The most common goals addressed in diversity articles, articles using a social justice framework, and articles using an intersectional approach are also identified. Findings indicate that, despite important work being carried out, more work remains to further identify how addressing diversity issues can improve client outcomes.

"En el grupo tomas conciencia (in group you become aware)": Latino immigrants' satisfaction with a culturally informed intervention for men who batter.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 Latino immigrant men who participated in a culturally informed batterer intervention. The objectives of this investigation were twofold. First, to identify the treatment components that facilitated the participants' willingness to engage in a process of change aimed at terminating their abusive behaviors. Second, to describe the treatment components that led to their satisfaction with the intervention. Research findings confirm that the Spanish version of the Duluth curriculum can be beneficial for Latino immigrant batterers. Results also demonstrate the critical role of culture as it refers to content of the intervention and method of delivery.

Culturally adapting an evidence-based parenting intervention for Latino immigrants: the need to integrate fidelity and cultural relevance.

Latinos constitute the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. However, the cultural adaptation and dissemination of evidence-based parenting interventions among Latino populations continues to be scarce despite extensive research that demonstrates the long-term positive effects of these interventions. The purpose of this article is threefold: (1) justify the importance of cultural adaptation research as a key strategy to disseminate efficacious interventions among Latinos, (2) describe the initial steps of a program of prevention research with Latino immigrants aimed at culturally adapting an evidence-based intervention informed by parent management training principles, and (3) discuss implications for advancing cultural adaptation prevention practice and research, based on the initial feasibility and cultural acceptability findings of the current investigation.

Community-based applied research with Latino immigrant families: informing practice and research according to ethical and social justice principles.

This manuscript describes the implementation of two community-based programs of research with Latino immigrant populations exposed to intense contextual challenges. We provide background on our program of research and specific implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention. We also describe how our research efforts were seriously affected by immigration-related events such as the ICE raids in Utah and a history of discrimination and exclusion affecting Latino immigrants in Michigan. These external political and social challenges have affected the very core principles of our efforts to implement community-based approaches. The current manuscript describes key lessons that we have learned in this process. Finally, reflections for research, practice, and social policy are included.

Elder abuse and neglect in African American families: informing practice based on ecological and cultural frameworks.

Despite the rapid growth of the elderly African American population in the U.S., elder abuse and neglect in African American families continue to be underdeveloped areas of study. This article presents an ecological and culturally informed framework for the study of elder abuse in African American populations. The model was developed based on Bronfenbrenner's Human Ecological Theory. The model identifies risk factors associated with different systems that have an influence on the lives of African American families. Cultural protective factors also are identified in the model. The model is intended to provide an understanding of elder abuse and neglect in African American families by considering the influence of contextual factors such as the legacy of slavery, social exclusion, and structural segregation and racism. Specific suggestions for practice are proposed according to cultural strengths of African American communities as well as the ecological premises of the model.

Covariates of substance-use initiation for Venezuelan youth: using a multilevel approach to guide prevention programs.

OBJECTIVE: Illicit drug use in Latin America is on the rise. This study contributes to the literature by examining the extent five factors related to adolescent substance use among U.S. populations covary with age at first use in a sample of Venezuelan inner-city youth. METHOD: Anonymous self-administered questionnaires on drug involvement and related behaviors were administered to a cross-sectional sample of students, ages 11 to 18, drawn from 14 schools in two school districts in Caracas, Venezuela. A multilevel modeling approach investigated the relationship between age at first drug use reported by 1,514 students and three covariates (family attention, externalizing behavior, and peer drug use) and two control variables (gender and socioeconomic status). RESULTS: For the Level 1 within-schools covariates, family attention (t = 5.14, 1440 df, p < .001), and externalizing behavior (t = -4.61, 1440 df, p < .001) were significantly related to age at first use, and females initiated use later than did males (t = 2.51, 1440 df,p < .001). Peer drug use and socioeconomic status did not significantly covary with age at first use. At Level 2, the family attention slope varied across schools, chi(2)(13) = 24.14,p = .03. Additionally, mean school-level socioeconomic status (t = -7.22, 13 df, p < .001) explained most of the variance in average age at first use between schools and exerted a much stronger influence on age at first use than did family attention, externalizing behavior, or gender. CONCLUSIONS: Factors influencing substance initiation vary from the United States to Venezuela. Specific school cultures are stronger predictors of initiation than more proximal influences.

"Changing for my kid": fatherhood experiences of Mexican-origin teen fathers involved in the justice system.

A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted with six adolescent fathers of Mexican origin on juvenile probation for a variety of serious offenses. All participants successfully completed a parenting program designed especially for teen fathers. In a series of consecutive in-depth interviews, teen fathers were asked to discuss their experiences as fathers. Four phenomena were identified from the data: (a) not giving up and deciding to be a dad, (b) figuring out my relationships after becoming a father, (c) wanting to be a good father, and (d) wanting to be Brown and a father. Findings challenge negative stereotypes associated with Mexican-origin teen fathers engaged in delinquent behaviors and describe the ways in which fatherhood became an important positive motivator in the lives of participants.