Antecedents and Consequences of Discrepant Perceptions of Racial Socialization between Parents and Adolescents within Mexican-Origin Families

J Youth Adolesc. 2021 Dec;50(12):2412-2426. doi: 10.1007/s10964-021-01487-z. Epub 2021 Sep 3.

Abstract

Parents and adolescents often have different views regarding parental racial socialization practices; however, studies documenting such discrepancies remain scarce. Using a person-centered approach, this study investigated patterns of parent-adolescent discrepant views on racial socialization (i.e., cultural socialization, bias coping, bias awareness) as well as antecedents and consequences of the discrepancy profiles. Participants were 604 adolescents (54% female, Mage = 12.41, Rangeage = 11-15) and their mothers and fathers. The results showed distinct discrepancy patterns and suggested that more maternal/paternal warmth was associated with profiles that have smaller discrepancies or profiles in which adolescents reported higher socialization than parents. Adolescents who reported higher or similar socialization as parents demonstrated better adjustment. Implications for interventions aimed at strengthening parent-child relationships and communication about race and culture are discussed.

Keywords: Adolescent well-being; Discrepancy between parent and adolescents; Mexican-origin families; Parental racial socialization.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Fathers
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Parents*
  • Perception
  • Socialization*