Family dynamics and adjustment across Latino/a students’ transition to college: Disentangling within- and between-person reciprocal associations.

What is it about?

The current study used a strengths-based approach to understand the important role of family on adjustment during Latino/a students’ transition to college. We found that parents and families continue to play a large role in Latino/a students’ lives and predict well-being over this transition. Specifically, more family communication was linked with fewer depressive symptoms, and greater parental monitoring predicted less alcohol use. However, greater depressive symptoms than usual predicted less parental support.

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Photo by Joan Kwamboka on Unsplash

Photo by Joan Kwamboka on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study highlighted downstream, promotive effects of family communication, while also specifying the importance of parental monitoring during the initial transition to college. These findings have the potential to inform and specify family-based prevention programs by providing meaningful information into what aspects of, and when, parenting/family behaviors are most promotive of Latino/a students’ well-being when transitioning into college contexts.