Mexican American Children and Families

Offering insight on Mexican American culture, families, and children, this book provides an interdisciplinary examination of this growing population. Leaders from psychology, education, health, and social policy review recent research and provide policy implications of their findings. Both quantitative and qualitative literature is summarized. Using current theories, the handbook reviews the cultural, social, and inter- and intra-personal experiences that contribute to the well-being of Mexican Americans. Each chapter follows the same format to make comparisons easier. Researchers and students from various disciplines interested in Mexican Americans will appreciate this accessible book.

Yvonne M. Caldera is Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Texas Tech University. Eric W. Lindsey is Professor of Applied Psychology at Penn State University - Berks Campus.

Part 1: Introduction 1. Who Are Mexican Americans: An Overview of History, Immigration, and Cultural Values Y.M. Caldera, P. Velez, E. Lindsey 2. What Does It Mean to Be Mexican American? Children's and Adolescents' Perspectives S.M. Quintana, T. Chavez, A.M. Ramírez Stege 3. Using Culturally Informed Theory to Study Mexican American Children and Families R. White, G. Knight, M. Roosa Part 2: Family Contexts 4. Mexican-American Children and School Readiness: An Ecological Perspective D. Aldoney, E. Karberg, J. Malin, N.J. Cabrera 5. Co-Parenting in Mexican American Intact Families E.W. Lindsey, Y.M. Caldera 6. Attentive Helpfulness as a Cultural Practice of Mexican-Heritage Families A. Lopez, O. Ruvalcaba, B. Rogoff 7. The Study of Mexican Immigrant Families' Space A.E. Arzubiaga, J. Brinkerhoff, B.G. Seeley Part 3: School and Community Contexts 8. Issues in Educating Mexican American English Language Learners E. Midobuche, A.H. Benavides, F. Koca 9. Bilingual Language Development in Early Childhood: Research and Policy Implications for Mexican-American Children M. Zepeda, J.L. Rodriguez 10. Mexican American Parents' Involvement in their Children's Schooling M. Suizzo Part 4: Perspectives on Mental Health 11. Mexican American's Help-Seeking of Counseling Services: Removing Barriers to Access and Focusing on Strengths L.R. Sanchez 12. Parenting and Children's Mental Health in Mexican American Families C. Klinkebiel, N. Harris, J. Borrego Jr 13. The Cultural Adaptation and Mental Health of Mexican American Adolescents N.A. Gonzales, M. Jensen, Z. Montano, H. Wynne Part 5: Perspectives on Physical Health 14. Nutritional Resilience in Mexican Immigrant/Mexican-Americans: How Might Food Contribute to the Hispanic Paradox? G.X. Ayala, E. Arredondo 15. Indigenous Health and Coping Resources in Mexican American Communities R. Lopez 16. The Psychology of Health: Physical Health and the Role of Culture and Behavior in Mexican Americans J.M. Ruiz, H.A. Hamann, J. Garcia, S.J. Craddock Lee 17. Promoting the Health of Mexican American Infants and Young Children M.O. Caughy, L. Franzini Part 6: Conclusions 18. Perspectives and Recommendations for Future Directions E. Lindsey, Y.M. Caldera