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Family Obligation Values as a Protective and Vulnerability Factor Among Low-Income Adolescent Girls

  • Empirical Research
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Abstract

Adolescents’ beliefs about family obligation often reflect cultural variations in their family context, and thus are important for understanding development among diverse youth. In this study, we test hypotheses about the role of family obligation values in risk behavior and mental health in a sample of 194 low-income adolescent girls (mean age = 15.2; 58 % Latina, 28 % African-American/Black). We hypothesized that family obligation values can be both a protective and vulnerability factor, depending on the type of outcome and the presence of other risk factors. Across the sample, higher family obligation values tended to occur with indicators of positive family functioning (e.g., more frequent communication, less maternal hostility) based on mother and adolescent reports. As hypothesized, family obligation values moderated the relationship between established risk factors and adjustment in distinct ways, such that high family obligation values decreased risk in some domains (i.e., a protective factor) but increased risk in other domains (i.e., a vulnerability factor). Specifically, high family obligation values diminished the relationship between peer norms for risky behavior (sex and substance use) and individual engagement in those behaviors. At the same time, high family obligation values magnified the relationship between exposure to negative life events and poor mental health (PTSD and depressive symptoms). The results suggest that family obligation is an important but complex aspect of development among diverse adolescent girls.

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted with support from National Institute of Health (NICHD R21HDO65185) to the lead author. Several research assistants and community collaborators gave invaluable assistance, particularly Kate Zona, Viana Turcios-Cotto, and Jenna Acker.

Author contributions

S. M. conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, oversaw analysis, and drafted the manuscript; S. W. participated in the conceptualization of the paper, statistical analysis, and drafting of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road U1020, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Stephanie Milan & Sanne Wortel

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  1. Stephanie Milan
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  2. Sanne Wortel
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Correspondence to Stephanie Milan.

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Milan, S., Wortel, S. Family Obligation Values as a Protective and Vulnerability Factor Among Low-Income Adolescent Girls. J Youth Adolescence 44, 1183–1193 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0206-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0206-8

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