Immigrant families' risk and resilience: A multi-method investigation of cultural caregiving and socialization within racialized contexts

Abstract

Latino and Asian American children and youth make up an increasing proportion of the United States population, yet they remain vulnerable to marginalization in racialized contexts. These contexts include heightened anti-Latino sentiment fueled by anti-immigrant rhetoric and a surge in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges, compounded by the need to navigate both their heritage and mainstream cultures, make the role of immigrant caregivers critical in fostering resilience and well-being among children and youth. Guided by several models centering the unique experiences of racially and ethnically minoritized immigrant families, this dissertation comprising three studies investigated how immigrant caregivers and parents employ culturally informed practices to buffer the effects of racial discrimination. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this dissertation underscores how caregiving practices serve as adaptive strategies to combat racial marginalization and support children’s well-being.The first study examined the motivations, needs, and experiences of 41 Latino immigrant Family, Friend, and Neighbor child care providers. Findings from focus groups revealed that these caregivers, guided by cultural values like familismo (family unity and commitment), sought to provide safe and nurturing environments for children and meet their emotional needs. Despite facing barriers, they leveraged community networks and intrinsic motivation to fulfill these roles. The second study explored how experiences of racial discrimination experiences among 128 Chinese American parents were related to their adolescents’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of discrimination, parents communicated messages to increase their children’s awareness of discrimination, but the impact of these messages depended on parental racial socialization competency. Specifically, parents’ higher confidence, knowledge, and skills in racial discussions mitigated the negative effects of awareness of discrimination messages on adolescents’ well-being. The third study used mixed methods with 65 Filipino American parents of adolescents to examine how parents' critical consciousness is related to their racial-ethnic socialization messages. Quantitative findings linked parents' critical consciousness to experiences of discrimination and several racial-ethnic socialization messages, while qualitative findings highlighted key themes in parents’ racial discussions. Converging results showed distinct messaging patterns based on parents’ critical consciousness level, though all parents emphasized belonging and connectedness, reflecting the Filipino value of kapwa (shared identity). Together, the findings from these three studies emphasize the adaptability of immigrant caregiving practices within racialized U.S. contexts and contribute to theories of immigrant risk and resilience. This dissertation also highlights the importance of culturally responsive support systems and socialization practices in fostering resilience among immigrant children and adolescents.