Much of the literature on Latinx relationship satisfaction speculates that Latinx cultural values (i.e. familismo, machismo, caballerismo, and marianismo) and gender roles affect romantic relationship satisfaction contrastingly ranging from lower relationship satisfaction and intimate partner violence (IPV) to having very positive effects and increasing relationship satisfaction. To briefly define these values, traditional machismo is the belief of toxic masculinity where men should be dominant and in control. Caballerismo, often examined as a softer dimension to machismo, revolves around men protecting their spouse and family. Marianismo is the belief that women should be chaste and sacrifice themselves for their families. Lastly Familismo, is the value that cultivates unconditional support and respect within family members and puts your family's needs over your own. The gap in the research has been failing to examine these cultural values and gender roles together to paint a fuller picture on how they affect romantic relationships satisfaction for Latinx individuals. In this research proposal, I will examine the Latinx cultural values of machismo, caballerismo, marianismo, and familismo and examine them alongside each other to see how they intricately affect relationship satisfaction for heterosexual, Latinx, U.S. born first- generation couples.

The organization National Alliance on Mental Health Illness says that “more than half of Hispanic young adults ages 18-25 with serious mental illness may not receive treatment” (National Alliance Mental Illness, 2018). In addition, an estimated 33% of Latino and Latina adults with mental illness receive less treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 43% (National Alliance Mental Illness, 2018). This research responds to the growing concern about Latinos’ underutilization of mental health services. My faculty research mentor and I researched the types of barriers local Latino and Latina individuals encounter when taking care of and/or maintaining their mental health. We employed qualitative research methods, specifically semi-structured interviews, to determine if Latino individuals in Colorado are experiencing mental health care barriers. This study will contribute to our understanding of Latino mental health care and provide a basis for the development of new interventions to help this population access mental health services. Ultimately, the purpose of this study is to better understand the state of Colorado’s treatment of and barriers to Latino mental healthcare.

The population growth for Hispanics/Latines is rising. It is estimated that by 2050, a quarter of the United States (US) population will be Latine (De Andrade & Viruell-Fuentes, 2011). Disparities exist across race and ethnicity in the treatment of psychopathology (Simpson et al., 2006). Despite past studies finding a similar prevalence rate for anxiety and depression within non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics/Latines, this ethnic group has remained underserved when it comes to mental health services (Woodward et al., 2012; De Andrade & Viruell-Fuentes, 2011). The objective of this study is to increase understanding on how psychiatric symptoms manifest in four different racial/ethnic groups; non-Hispanic Whites (n=2595), White Hispanics/Latines (n=270), non-Hispanic people of color (POC) (n=831), and Hispanics/Latines who identify as POC (n=247). Controlling for demographic variables, we aim to examine the effects of race and ethnicity on symptoms of psychopathology (anxiety, depression, and the interpersonal dimension of schizotypy). Analyses are ongoing.

“Machismo” has been shown to increase the risk of intimate partner violence, depression, and harmful coping strategies. Despite growing awareness and exposure to mental health resources, negative machismo traits in Latin men continue to affect themselves and others in their community. With the growing trend of research into the effects of machismo within the Mexican-American communities, looking at the relationship between Adler’s Birth Order theory and machismo provides a unique opportunity to inform the literature on possible causes of the degree of machismo in Mexican-American men. Through an extensive search through peer-reviewed literature, this review synthesizes existing models for the development of machismo in Latin men, points out the strengths and weaknesses of each model, and considers other relevant research. Additionally, this article considers Adler’s Birth Order theory to create a new model for machismo development. This model considers father-son relations, the effects of “familismo,” “marianismo,” parental strategies, and Mexican-American cultural values. This model will be helpful for further research on the relationship between birth order and “machismo” in Mexican-American siblings.