Summary
Latinx immigrants face notable psychological stressors, thus understanding specific stressors within Latinx families and how these specific stressors may impact parenting practices is indispensable. The aims of this paper were: a) to identify profiles of stress among mother-father dyads in a sample of Latinx immigrant families, and then b) to investigate whether different family stress profiles were associated with reported levels of positive involvement, discipline, and supervision/monitoring. Results from a latent profile analysis supported two distinct classes of stress within Latinx families: lower stress (81% of families) and higher stress (17% of families). Mothers in the low stress class reported significantly more positive involvement and supervision/monitoring than their high stress counterparts. No differences were detected among fathers in the two classes. These findings have implications for informing family therapy practice with Latinx families and for the cultural adaptation of family-based interventions to better support these underserved populations.

Objectives

• To understand two different profiles of family stress experienced by Latino/a immigrant parents.
• To identify how profiles of family stress are associated with different parenting practices in the context of Latino/a immigrant families.
• To recognize future considerations for mental health professionals working with immigrant Latino/a parents impacted by stress.

Subject Codes: culturally aware, parenting, stress
Population Codes: Hispanic/Latina/o/x, documented immigrant, undocumented immigrant
Method and Approach Codes: quantitative methodology, secondary data analysis, diversity

Summary
The global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) continues to exacerbate resource disparities and expose families to extreme stress. To better assist families experiencing stress, it is crucial for mental health professionals to understand family stress and its application to clinical practice. This paper investigates how family stress theory has been conceptualized in the empirical literature and applied through a clinical framework. In particular, this paper provides a systematic review of family stress theory and examines the sample demographics, stressors, measurements, and clinical implications addressed in the extant literature. We will conclude by discussing how the results are useful in informing future recommendations including intervention, training, and workshop development focused on family adversity.

Objectives

• To review the key tenets of family stress theory.
• To recognize the clinical application of family stress theory based on the results of a systematic literature review.
• To consider ways in which family stress theory can be applied in clinical practice with families experiencing stressful life events.

Subject Codes: stress
Population Codes: U.S.
Method and Approach Codes: systematic literature review

Summary
Parenting interventions are a commonly required case plan activity for those involved with child welfare system (CWS), however, many parents who begin these interventions prematurely drop out. CWS involved families face unique circumstances that may have important implications for engagement and retention. For instance, parenting programs may not be sought freely, but are instead required. Under these circumstances, parents may not have the same motivation as those seeking interventions voluntarily.The purpose of this study was to assess parents’ views of their parenting practices and what things they wanted to change using qualitative data from a project in which an evidence-based parenting intervention was delivered to parents involved in CWS. Findings showed that parents saw a need to increase quality time spent with children, strengthen connections, and desired positive changes to discipline. Findings will be discussed in terms of indicated directions for improvement of interventions within CWS.

Objectives

• To demonstrate, among families involved with the child welfare system, parents’ perceptions on things they would prefer to change in their parenting.
• To evaluate what thingsparentsthink their children would like to see be different in their parenting.
• To learn about factors that motivate change of parents involved with the child welfare system.

Subject Codes: fostercare, abuse/neglect, parent-child relationships
Population Codes: biological parent, marriage and family therapists/clinicians, U.S.
Method and Approach Codes: qualitative methodology, family therapy, parenting education