Latino Parent and Adolescent Perceptions of Hoped-for and Feared Possible Selves for Adolescents

Abstract

The authors examined Latino parent and adolescent reports of hoped-for and feared possible selves for adolescents. Twenty-nine Latino parents (18 mothers, 11 fathers) and their 18 adolescents participated in semistructured individual interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes via content analysis. Themes that emerged included achievement, interpersonal, personal characteristics, financial-material, cultural roots, and risk behaviors. More parents than adolescents mentioned feared interpersonal selves such as being a teenage parent. Findings suggest that Latino parents and adolescents express hopes and fears for future outcomes that are not consistent with the high rates of school dropout and teen pregnancy among Latino adolescents. Results shed light on strategies for program and policy prevention efforts.

Keywords

possible selves Latino adolescents parents school achievement teen pregnancy

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