Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In this study, we examine ethnic differences: Whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asian Americans, in the effects of single mother families (SMFs) on adolescent delinquency, heavy drinking and drug use, and whether there are ethnic differences in the degree to which supportive mothering and non-resident father involvement buffer the effects of SMFs. We theorize that ethnic differences in parenting styles and in experience with SMFs may affect parental effectiveness in raising adolescents in SMFs. Thus, the effects of SMF on adolescent behavior may be more dramatic in ethnic groups, such as Asian Americans, where SMFs are less common. Based on the data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we find that supportive mothering buffers the effects of SMFs for most groups. However, compared to other ethnic groups, Asian American mothers? supportiveness is less effective in buffering the impact of SMFs. For white and black adolescents, nonresident father involvement buffers the effects of SMFs on delinquency and drug uses. However, Asian American and Hispanic father involvement in SMFs is associated with increased problem behaviors.