Family Functioning, Well-Being, and Mental Health Among New Immigrant Families

The present study was conducted to identify latent profiles of adolescent-reported and parent-reported family functioning, as well as their links with adolescent and parent well-being and mental health, among recent immigrants from the Former Soviet Union to Israel. A sample of 160 parent-adolescent dyads completed measures of parent-adolescent communication, parental involvement, positive parenting, family conflict, self-esteem, optimism, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Results indicated four latent profiles-Low Family Functioning, Moderate Family Functioning, High Family Functioning, and High Parent/Low Adolescent Family Functioning (i.e., discrepant reports of family functioning). Adolescent depressive symptoms and anxiety were highest in the discrepant profile and lowest in the High Family Function profile; adolescent self-esteem and optimism were highest in the High Family Function profile and lowest in the Low Family Function profile; and parent depressive symptoms and anxiety were highest in the Low Family Function profile and lowest in the High Family Function profile. Parent self-esteem and optimism did not differ significantly across profiles. These results are discussed in terms of cultural and developmental contexts of adolescence and parenting within immigrant families, in terms of family systems theory, and in terms of the need for clinical services among families with discrepant reports of family functioning between parents and adolescents.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify latent profiles of adolescent and parent reported family functioning among recent immigrants from the Former Soviet Union to Israel, and investigate their associations with adolescent and parent well-being and mental health. Results showed four latent profiles, including Low Family Functioning, Moderate Family Functioning, High Family Functioning, and High Parent/Low Adolescent Family Functioning. The discrepant profile had the highest levels of adolescent depressive symptoms and anxiety, while the High Family Function profile had the lowest. Parental self-esteem and optimism did not differ significantly across profiles. These findings highlight the importance of considering cultural and developmental contexts and the need for clinical services for families with discrepant reports of family functioning.