A multi-method approach to understand Latino fathers’ influence on their youths’ health and educational outcomes

Abstract

<p>This dissertation describes different ways in which Latino fathers influence their youths’ health and educational outcomes. It contributes to the literature through a greater understanding of how Latino fathers influence the development of their youth while living in the United States by using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The term Latino is used over other nomenclature as this dissertation focuses on fathers who originate from Mexico and Central America. Two papers aim to incorporate the cultural ideologies of Latino fathers which are enacted through a positive relationship with their youth to decrease drug and alcohol use and increase involvement within their youth’s educational system. Results from each of these papers show that Latino fathers play an important role in youth health and educational outcomes. The first paper of this dissertation suggests positive father-adolescent relationships decreased youths’ drug and alcohol use from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. The second paper suggests that Latino fathers desire a positive education for their youth. The second paper also addresses how immigration policy has affected the ways in which Latino fathers are able to influence their youths’ educational attainment and how potential policy changes surrounding Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) will affect Latino fathers’ ability to be active in their youths’ education. Implications from this dissertation are discussed and suggest the need to further support the efforts of Latino fathers in youths’ health and educational outcomes.</p>