Cultural Contributors to Ego-Resiliency and Associations with Depressive Problems in Midwestern Latino Youth

J Res Adolesc. 2020 Feb:30 Suppl 2:349-361. doi: 10.1111/jora.12481. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Abstract

Ego-resiliency is an enduring psychological construct reflecting how individuals-adapt to environmental stressors, conflict, and change which is linked to positive adjustment. Ego-resiliency has not been examined in Latino youth, despite their high risk for mental health problems; nor have cultural precursors to ego-resiliency been examined. Given these gaps, we examined whether familism values (supportive, obligation, and referent) were associated with ego-resiliency and, in turn, depressive problems in Latino adolescents across two time points (N = 123, mean age = 11.53). Results indicated that supportive familism was associated positively with ego-resiliency and negatively with depressive problems. Ego-resiliency negatively predicted depressive problems across time, controlling for prior levels, suggesting that ego-resiliency may have long-term effects on depressive problems in Latino youth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Depression / diagnosis*
  • Depression / etiology
  • Ego
  • Family Relations / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Humans
  • Indiana
  • Male
  • Mothers / psychology
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires