Longitudinal Associations of Language Brokering and Parent-Adolescent Closeness in Immigrant Latino Families

Emile M. Tilghman-Osborne, Mayra Bámaca-Colbert, Dawn Witherspoon, Martha E. Wadsworth, Michael L. Hecht

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Language brokering is a common practice for Latino youth with immigrant parents. Yet little is known about how youth’s feelings about this responsibility contribute to the parent-adolescent relationship. In this study, we examined the longitudinal associations between language brokering attitudes and parent-adolescent closeness in a sample of Latino early adolescents (n = 813, Maget1 = 12.32, SDt1 =.59), while taking into account language brokering frequency and the possible moderating role of sex. Results suggested that sex of the adolescent was a moderator. Specifically, younger males who felt closer to their parents had more positive attitudes toward language brokering, which dissipated as they aged. Furthermore, language brokering frequency had a delayed positive contribution to language brokering attitudes and parent-adolescent closeness, which was stronger for males than females. Results are discussed in terms of how age and gender cultural norms contribute to the relation between language brokering and parent-adolescent closeness.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)319-347
Number of pages29
JournalJournal of Early Adolescence
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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