Pathways from Acculturation Stress to Negative Friend Associations Among Latino Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that contribute to the development of friendships for Latino adolescents. Of particular interest are the roles played by acculturation stress, family relationships, and adolescent mental health problems. Path analysis was completed using longitudinal data from 286 Latino adolescents living in North Carolina and Arizona. Results of the analysis suggest that indicators of acculturation stress influence family relationships, which in turn affects adolescent mental health problems and negative friend associations. Parent–adolescent conflict and externalizing problems were the most significant mediators of this relationship. Implications for practice and research are discussed.