Cultural Issues Shape potential risk and protective factors Influence the meaning of life events and ways to respond

Relational Perspective An emphasis on harmony and the interdependence of the relationships that include the mind, body, and spirit Influences the appraisal of life events, the nature of family relationships and problem solving Strong family bonds, including extended family, represent a moderating factor of risk

Family welcoming a new member to the circle

Latino Families Composed of members of a wide range of ethnic and racial groups Largest “minority” group in the US Smaller numbers in Canada with larger proportion from Jamaica followed by Haiti

Social context 48% born in current country Major US group by numbers: Mexican, South/Central American countries, Puerto Rican, Cuban Intermarriage increasingly common Living throughout the US Diverse immigration patterns

External Social and Economic Factors Poverty and discrimination important risk factors for many families (varies by group) Many work in low paying jobs Recent economic problems increased vulnerability (26.6% poverty rate) Home values down, unemployment up Possible Trauma in home country Demands for more border protection, reduction in access to services

Latino External and Contextual Lack of access to culturally appropriate health care and low levels of health care insurance Increasing rates of diabetes and HIV/AIDS Substance abuse issues-especially with acculturation

External and Cultural Support for Latinos Protective represented by supportive mentors and support for education Educational programs drawing on the community strength Religious community source of support Traditional spiritual healers helpful Community of other members of ethnic group provides support and services

Extended family Central to family life—can include several generations “familiso” Emphasis on collective God parents important Value of family rituals “Personalismo” high level of personal involvement Value of family honor Family, church first circle of help

Family organization Influence of acculturation on family unit Tend to be hierarchical –respect parents “Marianismo” importance of mother hood, mother’s devotion to family, -can create burden of responsibility “Machismo” father’s authority, responsibility Strong sibling ties, older with responsibilities

Family organization Communication organized to maintain harmony, affectionate, positive affirmations Public communication-politeness, agreement Indirectness to deal with anger, Humor to deal with tension “Personalismo” warm personal relationships with those outside the family circle Parent support for education important

Latino individuals Balance between familial and private self Value of spirituality Important role of education in terms of economic situation and poverty risk Older Latinos risk for poverty New immigrants frequently healthier Tend to be optimistic for the future English language facility valuable resource Biculturalism can be useful

Jamaican families Largest Caribbean group in Canada English language advantage Education viewed as important Tend to work in lower income professions Hopeful for the future Family and extended family important Family members can be of many hues

African American Community Protective role religious community Schools that promote child’s competency and are viewed as supportive by children and family

Extended family, friends Importance of extended family (unless becomes overwhelmed or makes parents feel inadequate or creates role confusion) Role of “fictive kin”

Family Organization Value of role flexibility Parenting protective traits: affection, firm parental control, vigilant parenting, effective communication Community influences nature of monitoring required Positive family relations promote child’s engagement in education Parental conflict reduces positive parenting (exacerbated by economic distress) High rates of female headed households contributes to poverty risk

African American Families Importance of adequate economic situation but many are challenged by under and unemployment Hit particularly hard by recent recession Poverty increases risk of living in dangerous neighborhoods Racism, discrimination contribute to poverty HIV/AIDS challenge

African American Individuals Protective—(also general protective factors) Low parental substance abuse Self-esteem of parents helps self-regulation of youth Religious beliefs and practices Higher levels of education

Asian American Families A wide variety of national origins with differing histories and immigration patterns Majority are first generation due to recent immigration patterns

Asian American External/ Economic Possible major trauma in family’s history Wide variety in income levels Potential racial discrimination in community Youth may join anti social peers for protection, acceptance English language skills valuable Protective role of community that supports culture

Asian American Extended Family Extended family of present and past important Expectations to contribute to family circle Youth have obligations to older generation Older generation role of cultural transmission Familial obligation to earlier generation diminishes with time Economic stress viewed as less problematic for immigrant Asian families—able to enlist broad family resources

Asian American Family Organization Families tend to be hierarchical Parents expected to give sacrificially while youth expected to meet family obligations Family loyalty and respect important Importance of bringing honor, not shame to family

Asian American Family Members Acculturation both a potential risk and protection Bicultural orientation protective Risk of feeling marginalized Ability to bring honor to family protective, stress if one cannot do so Spirituality and religion valuable (types vary widely)

First Nations/Aboriginal People Wide range of national groups in US and Canada with unique culture and heritage Importance of relational perspective

First Nations External/Social Heritage of oppression and cultural devaluation Continuing problem in current cultural messages Shadows of historical trauma Discrimination High suicide rates –related to cultural context of lack of empowerment Severe poverty in many communities—high unemployment Lack of adequate housing and culturally appropriate health programs High rates of incarceration in some communities Health problems of substance abuse, diabetes

First Nation Context-Protective Valuable role of traditional healers Importance of national/tribal identity—give structure and meaning Role of elders important resource Churches and social groups resources Culturally grounded services that promote community health valuable

First Nations Extended Family Important role of extended family and clans—sense of identify and resource Tensions can occur with different degrees of acculturation Lakota concepts – “Tiosaye” collection of related families bound by blood “Hunka” tradition adoption ceremony creating ties more sacred than blood ties Folk teaching

First Nations Family Patterns vary widely among nations History of forced separations has created ongoing problems for some families Family stories and rituals valuable Indirect communication and silence indicate respect

First Nations Individuals Resources of faith, prayer, meditation, healing ceremonies Spirituality valuable (but has been devalued historically) Pride in one’s cultural heritage and self-esteem valuable

Military Families Relocation- children learn adaptive skills frequent moves can be difficult for spouse—requires commitment to military as a life style military community important resource for moves

Military Families : Deployment Represents a stressful times for military families—the reality of uncertainty, absence, and potential danger Distress on the part of teenagers-worry, loss of parent on daily basis, anger, sadness, isolation, fear Positive feelings associated with pride in parent’s actions Spouse also at risk for depression, anxiety

Deployment con”t Length and number of deployments increases the risk Distress also created by economic problems, lack of supportive community, and media portrayals

Military Families: Deployment Further stress created by family communication problems, problems in family leadership, pregnancy of caregiver Substance abuse and depression of military member Sexual assault in military Physical wounds (including brain injuries) Post traumatic stress Suicide risk Culture of not seeking help (seeking to change)

Military Families:Deployment Protective factors Adequate social and community support Family characteristics-coping, communication, strong marital bond, good parent-child relationships, role flexibility Belief systems that supports the military way of life Parent’s ability to cope important in helping children cope Ability to have ongoing communication

Military Families: Reunification Relief, joy, strain Family members have changed—need to adapt Soldiers return with injuries, ptsd, Trauma and secondary trauma Protective: encouragement to use services family hardiness—sense of control Ambiguous—missing in action—very difficult for families List of community and service related resources (book)

Rural Families Great diversity in terms of location, type of rural work Importance of community institutions churches and schools valuable formal services can be difficult to access Nuclear families with a sense of obligation to wider family family source of support and pressure Family patterns –value of role flexibility to cope Sense of family loyalty and obligation by youth Youth gained sense of work and organization skills by helping Value of academic success for youth