Mexican-origin youths' language brokering for fathers and mothers: Daily experiences and youths' diurnal cortisol slopes
Kim, S.Y.; Wen, W.; Chen, S.; Yan, J.; Song, J.; Zhang, M.; Zeiders, K.H.
Child Development 93(4): 1106-1120
2022
ISSN/ISBN: 1467-8624 PMID: 35397115 Document Number: 243452
This study examined the associations of language brokering stress intensity and exposure with Mexican-origin youths' cortisol responses when brokering for fathers and mothers, and the moderating role of youths' brokering efficacy in these relations. Participants were 289 adolescents (Mage = 17.38, SD = .94, 52% girls) in immigrant families. When brokering for mothers, stress exposure was related to flatter (less healthy) same-day diurnal slopes in youth. When brokering for fathers, daily brokering efficacy buffered the detrimental link between stress intensity and youths' same-day cortisol slopes. When brokering for fathers/mothers, stress intensity and exposure were related to flatter (less healthy) next-day diurnal slopes. Although daily brokering stress can relate to youth physiologic functioning, feeling efficacious about brokering may buffer the negative ramifications of stress.