Associations between adolescents' perceived discrimination and prosocial tendencies: the mediating role of Mexican American values

J Youth Adolesc. 2013 Mar;42(3):328-41. doi: 10.1007/s10964-012-9856-6. Epub 2012 Nov 15.

Abstract

Experiences with perceived discrimination (e.g., perceptions of being treated unfairly due to race or ethnicity) are expected to impact negatively youths' prosocial development. However, resilience often occurs in light of such experiences through cultural factors. The current longitudinal study examined the influence of perceived discrimination on the emergence of Mexican American adolescents' later prosocial tendencies, and examined the mediating role of Mexican American values (e.g., familism, respect, and religiosity). Participants included 749 adolescents (49 % female) interviewed at 5th, 7th, and 10th grade. Results of the current study suggested that, although perceived discrimination was associated negatively with some types of prosocial tendencies (e.g., compliant, emotional, and dire) and related positively to public prosocial helping, the associations were mediated by youths' Mexican American values. Directions for future research are presented and practical implications for promoting adolescents' resilience are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cultural Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Helping Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mexican Americans / psychology*
  • Models, Psychological
  • Models, Statistical
  • Psychology, Adolescent*
  • Racism / ethnology
  • Racism / psychology*
  • Resilience, Psychological
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Values / ethnology*
  • Southwestern United States