Familismo: Exploring a Culturally Sensitive Correlation Between Parentification and Relationship Satisfaction Amongst First Generation Mexican-American Adults Through an Attachment Theory Lens

<p>Parentification refers to the role reversal of children who take on adult responsibility to care for family members. This role is often filled by Mexican-American children as a result of immigration and assimilation. This study explored the relationship between parentification and adult romantic relationship satisfaction among first-generation Mexican-American adults, with particular attention to the moderating roles of attachment styles and perceived unfairness. While earlier research has linked parentification to mental health challenges, few studies have examined its long-term impact on intimate relationships, including relationship satisfaction and experiences of intimate partner violence. A total of 132 participants completed an online survey using validated measures of parentification, language brokering, attachment, relationship satisfaction, and intimate partner violence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, multiple moderation regression analyses, and chi-square tests. The results revealed a nonsignificant relationship between parentification and intimate partner satisfaction. Further, attachment styles and perceived unfairness did not moderate this relationship. However, parentification was found to be significantly associated with intimate partner violence. These findings suggest the complex impact of cultural values on childhood role reversals and indicate that parentification may serve as a risk factor for relational safety in adulthood.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Public Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Clinical Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2027

Author dc:creator

• Perez, Ana K

Contributors dc:contributor

• Leah Horvath, PhD
• Lucia Lopez, PsyD
• Bradley Olson, PhD

• parentification
• relationship satisfaction
• Mexican American
• Intimate partner violence
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/933

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.nl.edu:diss-2000