Endorsements by Mexican-Americans of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory: Cross-Ethnic Comparison

Gender-related personality traits among Mexican-American men and women were examined. The sample consisted of 307 Mexican-Americans (150 women, 157 men) in a predominantly Mexican and Mexican-American community in South Texas. Mexican-American men scored significantly higher than the women on eight masculine items, whereas Mexican-American women scored higher than the men on four feminine items. A comparison between the scores of Mexican-Americans on the Bern Sex-Role Inventory with those of the original sample in the inventory's manual showed that the scores for the Masculinity and Femininity subscales for both Mexican-American men and women were not significantly different from those of the original sample. A significant difference, however, was found on some of the items of the inventory. Analysis also indicated that more Mexican-American men were categorized as Feminine and Androgynous than were non-Hispanic Euro-American males in the original sample. Among Mexican-American women there were more individuals classified as Masculine and Undifferentiated and a lower percentage as Feminine than among the original sample. Implications and recommendations based on the results are discussed.

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Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences among Mexican American Women

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/0890334415599400 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 103-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Karen Wambach ◽

Elaine Williams Domian ◽

Sallie Page-Goertz ◽

Heather Wurtz ◽

Kelli Hoffman

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Mexican Americans ◽

Mexican American ◽

Rating Scale ◽

The United States ◽

Breastfeeding Duration ◽

Mexican American Women ◽

Cultural Traditions ◽

American Women

Background:According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanic breastfeeding mothers begin early formula supplementation at higher rates than other ethnic groups, which can lead to shorter breastfeeding duration and decreased exclusive breastfeeding. Acculturation, the process of adopting beliefs and behaviors of another culture, appears to influence breastfeeding practices of Hispanic women in the United States. Little is known about Mexican American mothers’ formula use and exclusive breastfeeding within the context of acculturation.Objective:Our study identified perceived benefits and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding and levels of acculturation among Mexican American women living in a Midwestern city.Methods:We used a qualitative descriptive design integrating Pender’s Health Promotion Model concepts. Individual interviews were conducted in English or Spanish (N = 21). The revised Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans was used to examine acculturation levels.Results:Acculturation scores indicated that the majority (66%) of the sample was “very Mexican oriented.” Most women exclusively breastfed, with a few using early supplementation for “insufficient milk production.” Three themes emerged: (1) It is natural that a woman give life and also provide the best food for her baby; (2) Breastfeeding is ultimately a woman’s decision but is influenced by tradition, guidance, and encouragement; and (3) Breast milk is superior but life circumstances can challenge one’s ability to breastfeed.Conclusion:Strong familial/cultural traditions supported and normalized breastfeeding. Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding were similar to breastfeeding women in general, in the United States. Findings support the need for culturally competent and individualized lactation care.

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Predictors of Gestational Weight Gain in Mexican American Women in Los Angeles

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v13i3.1830 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 01-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ruth Mielke ◽

Nicholas Gorman

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Gestational Weight Gain ◽

Mexican Americans ◽

Mexican American ◽

The United States ◽

Mexican American Women ◽

American Women ◽

Gestational Weight

Background and Significance: Extremes of gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with newborn and pregnancy complications, postpartum obesity and chronic illnesses. In the United States, Mexican American women are the largest subgroup of Hispanics but have been studied least often. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of GWG in Mexican American women. Methods: A retrospective, correlational design used data from charts (n=684) in a federally qualified health center in Los Angeles. Prevalence of GWG was inadequate, 22%; adequate, 33%; and excessive, 45%. Risk factors for excessive GWG were hypertension (p = .04), overweight (p = .00), or obese pre-pregnancy BMI (p = .01). Conversely, women who had gestational diabetes (p = .02), ate more snacks (p = .01), were multiparous (p = .03), and less acculturated (p = .03) experienced less excessive gain. Conclusions: Efforts to prevent excessive GWG in Mexican Americans should be targeted to women having their first baby and those with high pre-pregnancy BMI. One strategy may be recommending diet/exercise similar to that used in women with gestational diabetes. For women who are less acculturated and/or who are multiparous, strategies that will minimize inadequate GWG may improve newborn outcomes.

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Smokeless Tobacco Consumption by Mexican-American University Students

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1994.75.1.279 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 75 (1) ◽

pp. 279-284

Author(s):

Linda C. Lopez

Keyword(s):

Smokeless Tobacco ◽

Mexican Americans ◽

Mexican American ◽

Tobacco Consumption ◽

Mexican American Women ◽

State University ◽

American University ◽

American Women ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Anglo American

A modified version of the Illinois Department of Public Health Smokeless Tobacco Survey was administered to 220 women and 134 men attending a state university in New Mexico. The respondents included 65 male and 83 female Mexican-Americans as well as 118 female and 59 male Anglo-Americans. All Mexican-American women identified themselves as nonusers of smokeless tobacco. Of the Anglo-American women, one indicated that she used snuff, and 3 disclosed that they chewed tobacco. 33% of the Anglo-American men and 18% of the Mexican-American men stated that they used smokeless tobacco products. A chi-squared analysis showed this difference was significant. Implications are discussed.

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Dietary, Alcohol, and Tobacco Intake among Mexican-American Women of Childbearing Age: Results from HANES Data

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.4278/0890-1171-8.5.363 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 363-372 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Sylvia Guendelman ◽

Barbara Abrams

Keyword(s):

Mexican Americans ◽

Mexican American ◽

White Women ◽

Hispanic Women ◽

Mexican American Women ◽

Food Groups ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

American Women ◽

Stratified Sample

Purpose. Dietary intake and substance abuse are important predictors of pregnancy outcome yet little is known about these behaviors in Mexican Americans. Dietary, tobacco, and alcohol intake of Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white women were compared across the reproductive cycle. Design. Four cross-sectional groups—interconceptional, pregnant, lactating, and postpartum non-lactating—were compared within and between ethnic groups. Subjects. A stratified sample of 682 women, 16 to 44 years old, of Mexican birth or origin from the Hispanic HANES was contrasted with a similarly stratified sample of 1,396 white non-Hispanic women from the NHANES. Measures. Demographic, behavioral and health characteristics, food practices, and fluid intake were examined. Data on food servings were combined into five major food groups. Results. Compared with white non-Hispanics, Mexican-American women had lower socioeconomic status and worse perceived health. However, Mexican Americans reported lower consumption of tobacco, alcohol, diet soda, and caffeine, particularly during pregnancy and lactation. Although portion sizes for the foods consumed were not assessed, frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables and milk was lower and meat higher among Mexican Americans. Conclusions. Despite socioeconomic disadvantages, Mexican-American women have better health habits than white non-Hispanic women. From these data it is unclear how diet affects pregnancy outcomes in Mexican Americans.

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