Research and Media

Program Completion and Engagement Among Latinx Adolescent-Parenting Youth: Stigma, Social Support, and Ethnic Identity.  

• Experience of adolescent parent stigma in the community and school are linked to a significant decrease in program engagement (how interested students are in the program) and program completion.  
• Having a positive ethnic identity and a strong network of support is linked to hier program engagement.    
• Participating with another person (a support person or a partner) was linked to 1 two-fold increase in the likelihood to complete our program.  
  • Why this matters:  
    • How students feel they are treated, is not only impactful to their mental health, but it impact how they can engage with other programs, which can have consequences for student retention  
    • Noting the protective role of ethnic identity highlights the importance of embedding culturally affirming messages and content in our programs
    • This work highlights the importance of affirming and making space for supports systems as they are key to students’ success.

Latinx adolescent parent's healthy romantic relationship and intimate partner violence outcomes: The protective role of culture.

• Cultural values and a positive connection to culture can be protective to youth, especially when other social demands may increase risk and stress.  
• High Familism (importance of cohesion, harmony, family comes first), enculturation (connection to heritage-Latinx culture), and acculturation (connection to US-white culture), were linked to lower rates of experiencing IPV victimization, healthy conflict management, and healthier relationship attitudes; traditional gender role attitudes (male is dominant, female subservient) were linked to higher IPV victimization and perpetration.
  • Why this matters:
    • Having a positive connection to one’s cultural values, especially familism values, along with a connection with both Latinx and US culture can be protective.
    • Importance of dispelling myths related to traditional gender roles to also impact relationship outcomes.
    • Highlights the importance of cultural humility and responsiveness in our service delivery and messaging

Adolescent Parents’ Intersecting Identities and Experiences: A Qualitative Examination of Adolescents’, Grandparents’, and School Staff’s Perspectives.

• In focus groups conducted with adolescent parents, grandparents (parents of adolescents), and school staff, adolescent parents were identified as inhabiting intersecting social identities based on their parenting status, developmental stage (adolescence/youth), student role, child/family role, and gender.
• Adolescents discussed stressors such as navigating multigenerational households, discrimination, and high demands/expectations from others.
• Grandparents described demands placed on adolescent parents as a way to support them through the transition to parenthood and with intentions to help adolescents not conform to negative stereotypes
  • Why this matters:
    • Due to their intersecting social identities, the demands adolescent parents’ experience can both cause stress and be a source of support.
    • Highlights the nuances ways in which adolescent parents and their support networks develop and foster resilience during the transition to parenthood.

“A little bit closer”: A Mixed Method Analysis of the Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Lives of Adolescent Parents

• In a quantitative comparison of adolescent parents that participated in programming prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-pandemic cohort) and those who participated during the pandemic (pandemic-period cohort), the pandemic-period cohort reported fewer depressive symptoms, less parental stress, more frequent coparental communication, and more positive coparental communication and conflict management than the pre-pandemic cohort.
• In the qualitative analysis, adolescents reported both positive and negative effects. For positive effects, participants discussed having less stress and strengthened relationships with loved ones. For negative effects, adolescent parents discussed the negative effects of social distancing, difficulty adjusting to lifestyle changes, fear of the virus, financial stress, negative impacts on their children, and relationship strain.
  • Why this matters:
    • Results highlighted the nuanced experiences of adolescent parents during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic
    • Though negative effects were discussed, results also highlighted potential resiliency factors (e.g., family connection, reduced role strain) that may help mitigate the impact of stressful events on adolescent parents’ wellbeing and relationships

Adapting a Coparenting‐Focused Prevention Program for Latinx Adolescent Parents in a School Context

• Developing programs that reflect adolescent parents’ lived experience are needed to better support them in achieving their family goals. Through focus groups with adolescent parents, their own parents, and school staff, the SRSF program adapted an evidence-based program to do just that.
• Findings from the focus groups indicated that coparenting supports went beyond the mother-father dyad to also include grandparents (primarily the maternal grandmother) and other family members. Participants also reported navigating various coparenting challenges (i.e., lack of/ineffective communication, coparental control/gatekeepng, discrepancies in parenting styles, and strained or negative communication).
• Based on focus group findings, the adaptation team adapted the curriculum to address the identified needs of adolescent parents, as well as adaptations to better fit a school environment. These adaptations included minor adaptations to existing content and developing two new lessons which focused on coparenting with grandparents and coparenting after breakups.  
• After piloting the adapted curriculum, evaluations indicated that the adaptations made were well-received by students.
  • Why this matters:
    • As the experiences of adolescent parents are complex, it is important to understand their unique needs in order to develop interventions that are responsive and relevant to their needs and experiences.

Parenting Stress and Coparenting among Adolescent Parents

• Mothers’ parenting stress predicted mothers’ and fathers’ reports of less coparental communication, and more coparenting conflict; but fathers’ parenting stress only predicted fathers’ reports of coparenting conflict
  • Why this matters: 
    • Reducing mothers’ stress can have an impact on the whole family system
    • Parenting stress may reduce parents’ ability to access an important support system by reducing communication and increasing conflict.

Parental Factors as Predictors of Dating Violence among Latina Adolescent Mothers

• Positive coparenting relationship quality was related to lower reports of dating violence perpetration and victimization
• Parenting stress was not found to be directly associated with dating violence in this study. 
  • Why it matters: 
    • Promoting positive coparenting can be an important way to prevent IPV

Dating Violence: A Cross-Lag Path Model with Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents

• Healthy conflict resolution skills and emotionally/verbally abusive skills were stable over time 
• Adolescents’ reports of their own positive conflict resolution strategies predicted lower emotionally/verbally abusive behaviors in the future. 
  • Why this matters: 
    • We need to intercept early before behaviors become stable and harder to change
    • Teaching positive conflict management skills is more impactful to the reduction of other abusive behaviors

Articles:

1. *Zambrano, P. L., Perez-Brena, N. J., Duncan, J. C., Bishop, N. J., Toews, M. L., & Barnett, M. A. (2024). Mother-father and parent-grandmother coparenting conflict and caregiver involvement among adolescent parent families. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. I.
2. Perez‐Brena, N. J., Anders, K.M., Toews, M. L., & Duncan, J.C. (2022). Adolescent parents’ intersecting identities and experiences: A qualitative examination of adolescents’, grandparents’, and school staff’s perspectives. Journal of Child & Family Studies.
3. *Astle, S., Duncan, J.C., Toews, M., Perez-Brena, N., *McAllister, P., *Maddy, M., & Feinberg, M. (2021). “A little bit closer”: A mixed method analysis of the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the lives of adolescent parents. Journal of Adolescent Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584211062116
4. Perez‐Brena, N. J., Toews, M. L., Feinberg, M. E., & Anders, K. M. (2021). Adapting a Coparenting‐Focused Prevention Program for Latinx Adolescent Parents in a School Context. Family Process. Advance online publication. PMID: 33951202. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12651
5. Perez-Brena, N. J., Duncan, J., *de Jongh, C., & Toews, M. (2021). Parenting stress and coparenting among adolescent parents. Family Relations, 70 (3), 793-807. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12499
6. *Goodcase, E., Toews, M., Perez-Brena, N. J., *Faflick, N. (2020). Dating Violence: A Cross‐Lag Panel Model With Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 81, 1-6.
7. *Hoss, L., Toews, M., Perez-Brena, N. J., *Goodcase, E. T., & Feinberg, M. (2019). Parental factors as predictors of dating violence among Latinx adolescent mothers. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519862269

Invited Talks:

1. Perez-Brena, N. J. & Zamora, M. (2023) Building equity with community advisory boards. Panel discussion, February, 2024: HMRF CQI Office Hours Meeting.
2. Perez-Brena, N. J. (2019) Using online tools for implementation with adolescents. Presented, August 28, 2019 at the 2019 Healthy Marriage & Responsible Fatherhood conference.

Papers Presented at Professional Meetings:

1. Guerrero-Ortiz, E., Perez, R., Walker, K., Perez-Brena, N. J., Duncan, J. & Perez, R. (March, 2024).  Program Completion and Engagement Among Latinx Adolescent-Parenting Youth: Stigma, Social Support, and Ethnic Identity. Paper presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Conference in Chicago, IL.
2. Walker, K., Perez-Brena, N. J. (March 2024). Examining the link between Latinx Mothers’ Stigmatization and their Sense of Belonging at School. Paper presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Conference in Chicago, IL.
3. Duncan, J.C., Perez-Brena, N., Toews, M., & Feinberg, M.E. (March, 2023). Examining the Impact of an Adapted Coparenting Curriculum on Latinx Adolescent Parents’ Coparenting Behaviors. Paper presented at the Society for Research on Child Development Biennial Conference in Salt Lake City, UT.
4. *Perez R., Bowman S., Perez-Brena N., Duncan J., & Perez R. (March, 2023). Adolescent Substance Use: Examining Cultural, Social/Individual, and School Factors. Paper presented at Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) 2023 Research Conference at National Harbor, MD.
5. Toews, M., Duncan., J., Perez-Brena, N., Anders, K. (November, 2022). Transition to parenthood among adolescents: A longitudinal examination of individual and couple development. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at Minneapolis, MN.  
6. *Goodcase, E., Toews, M., Perez-Brena, N. J., & *Faflick, N. (November, 2018). Dating Violence: A Cross‐Lag Panel Model With Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at San Diego, CA.
7. Perez-Brena, N. J., Toews, M., Anders, K., *Goodcase, E., & *Colburn, S. (November, 2018). Being “As Good of Parents as Teenagers”: Intersecting Experiences of Adolescent Parents. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at San Diego, CA.
8. Toews, M., Anders, K., Perez-Brena, N. J., & *Mayen, S. (November, 2018). “I Have Hope": Exploring Pregnant and Parenting Latino Adolescents’ Possible Selves. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at San Diego, CA.
9. Perez-Brena, N. J., Toews, M., Hutson, A., & Feinberg, M. (June, 2018). Adapting a Coparenting–Focused Prevention Program to Serve Latino Adolescent Parents. Paper presented at the Society for Prevention Research Annual Conference at Washington, DC. 

Posters Presented at Professional Meetings:

1. *Rojo, L., *Moreno, J., & *Gamez, P. (March, 2024). Latinx Adolescent Parents’ Involvement: Individual-Level and Cultural Correlates Oral Presentation. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Conference in Chicago, IL.
2. * Piprawala, S., * Cogdell, E., Perez, R., Perez-Brena, N. (March, 2022). Latinx adolescent parent's healthy romantic relationship and intimate partner violence outcomes: The protective role of culture. Poster presentation accepted for SRA 2022 Biennial Meeting, New Orleans, LA, Presented March 2022.  
3. *Perez, R., Perez-Brena, N. J., Duncan, J., & Toews, M. L. (2020, November). The effects of coparenting on adolescent paternal depression. Poster presented at the National Conference on Family Relations Annual Conference.
4. *Zambrano, P., Duncan, J., Perez-Brena, N. J., & Toews, M. L. (2020, November). Mother-grandmother and mother-father coparenting relationships among adolescent mothers. Poster presented at the National Conference on Family Relations Annual Conference.
5. Hutson, A., Perez-Brena, N. J., Perez, R., Reyes, E., Toews, M., & *Zambrano, P (August, 2019). An incentive-based approach to improving program attendance. Paper presented at the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Biennial Conference at National Harbor, MD.
6. Duncan, J., *Jefferson, M., *Martinez, M., *Perez, R., *Rizzo Esposito, A., & Perez-Brena, N. (February 2019). Examining the Association between Coparenting and Parenting Agency Among Adolescent Parents. Poster Presented at the Texas Council on Family Relations Annual Conference. Austin, TX.
7. *Goodcase, E., Toews, M., Perez-Brena, N. J., & *Faflick, N. (November, 2018). Dating violence: A cross‐lag panel model with pregnant and parenting adolescents. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at San Diego, CA.
8. Perez-Brena, N. J., Toews, M., Anders, K., *Goodcase, E., & *Colburn, S. (November, 2018). Being “As good of parents as teenagers”: Intersecting experiences of adolescent parents. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at San Diego, CA.
9. Toews, M., Anders, K., Perez-Brena, N. J., & *Mayen, S. (November, 2018). I have hope": Exploring pregnant and parenting Latino adolescents’ possible selves. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at San Diego, CA.
10. Perez-Brena, N. J., *Villalpando, U., *de Jongh, C., & Toews, M. (April, 2018). Parenting stress and coparenting among adolescent parents," Poster presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Conference at Minneapolis, MN.
11. Perez-Brena, N. J., Toews, M., Hutson, A., & Feinberg, M. (June, 2018). Adapting a coparenting–focused prevention program to serve Latino adolescent parents. Paper presented at the Society for Prevention Research Annual Conference at Washington, DC.
12. Hoss, L., Toews, M., *Goodcase, E., Perez-Brena, N. J., & Feinberg, M. (November, 2017). Parental factors as predictors of dating violence among adolescent parents. Poster Presentation presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at Orlando FL.
13. Perez-Brena, N. J., Toews, M., Hutson, A., & Feinberg, M. (November, 2017). Adapting a coparenting-focused prevention program to serve Latino adolescent parents. Roundtable Presentation presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at Orlando FL.
14. *Dixon, K., Toews, M., *Goodcase, E., *Boeger, G., Perez-Brena, N. J., & Feinberg, M. (November, 2017). The role of coparenting in predicting parental outcomes among teen parents. Poster Presentation presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference at Orlando FL.
     

Non-refereed presentations:

1. *Rojo, L., Perez, R., Sanchez, Z., & Perez-Brena, N. (April 2023) How Communication Quality and Frequency Affect Adolescent Stress from Pre-to Post-Pandemic. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
2. * Moreno, J., Guerrero-Ortiz, E., Perez, R., & Perez-Brena, N. (April 2023) Cultural and Family Factors in Teen Latino Fathers and their Impact on Parental Involvement. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
3. * Pulido, M., Perez, R., & Perez-Brena, N. (April 2023) Social support as a protective factor for depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and substance use in adolescent parents. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
4. * Rivera, A., Perez, R., Guerrero-Ortiz, E., & Perez-Brena, N. (April 2023) Social Support and Depressive Symptoms: A focus on Adolescent Fathers. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
5. * Moreno, S., Perez, R., Guerrero-Ortiz, E., & Perez-Brena, N. (April 2023) School Context and Romantic Relationship Outcomes in Adolescent Parents. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
6. * Guardiola, G., * Reyna, D., Guerrero-Ortiz, E., & Perez-Brena, N. (April, 2022). A study on positive co-parental communication and Its correlation with parental stress in Latinx families. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
7. * Maya, C., * Manuel, K., Guerrero-Ortiz, E., & Perez-Brena, N. (April, 2022). A study on parenting restrictions, their effects on Latinx adolescents, and gender differentiations. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
8. * Russell, T., Guerrero-Ortiz, E., & Perez-Brena, N. (April, 2022). Depressive symptoms, self-esteem. and their association with intimate partner violence victimization among adolescent parents. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
9. *Cogdell, E., *Piprawala, S., *Perez, R., & Perez-Brena, N. J. (April, 2021). How Cultural Constructs Associate with IPV Attitudes and Behaviors in Latinx Adolescent Parents. Poster Presented at the 15th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference and Thesis Forum at Texas State University,. San Marcos, TX.
10. *Garcia, A., *Perez, R., Duncan, J., & Perez-Brena, N. J. (April 2020). Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment: A Study of Adolescent Parents. Poster Presented at the Texas State University Undergraduate Virtual Research Conference. San Marcos, TX.
11. *Hernandez, H., *de Jongh, C., Duncan, J., & Perez-Brena, N. J. (April 2020). Exploring the Correlation Between Conflict, Familism, and Hope in Adolescent Relationships. Poster Presented at the Texas State University Undergraduate Virtual Research Conference. San Marcos, TX.
12. *Randol, H., *McCormick, A., *Mayen, S., & Perez-Brena, N. J., (April, 2018). Prenatal and Parenting Adjustment by Relationship Status in Central Texas Teens. Poster presented at the Texas State University, Undergraduate Research Conference, San Marcos, TX.
     

Media Stories:

• TV, Univision. (December 2019).
• TV, KXAN. (September, 2019).