What is it about?

The current study identified groups of Latinx adolescents with shared patterns of problem-solving skills, cultural navigation skills, and ethnic-racial bias preparation. The largest group of Latinx adolescents had a shared pattern of average-to-high levels of problem-solving and cultural navigation skills, but low levels of ethnic-racial bias preparation. The results showed that for Latinx adolescents with a pattern of high levels of problem-solving and cultural navigation skills, even with low levels of ethnic-racial bias preparation, had better school belonging and lower depressive symptoms. These findings suggest it is important to foster problem-solving and cultural navigation skills to support school functioning and mental health among Latinx adolescents.

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Why is it important?

The current study is the first to identify patterns formed from the difference in levels problem-solving skills, cultural navigation skills, and ethnic-racial bias preparation. Additionally, the findings of this study suggest that prevention and intervention efforts focused on school functioning and mental health may need to provide programming that cultivate the substantial use of both problem-solving skills and cultural navigation skills among Latinx adolescents.

Perspectives

I hope this article helps the reader understand that the use of both universal and cultural strengths is important for the development and well-being of Latinx adolescents. Moreover, I hope the findings of the article can help inform the tailoring of programming that supports Latinx adolescent development to include both universal and culturally based skills.

Rayni Thomas
University of Arizona

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Asset profiles that support Latinx adolescents’ school functioning and mental health., Journal of Latinx Psychology, July 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/lat0000301.
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