Resumen El constructo de desvinculación moral tiene implicaciones muy importantes en el estudio de diversos fenómenos psicosociales. Ante la ausencia del análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de la escala de desvinculación moral de Bandura en población mexicana, el objetivo de esta investigación fue la obtención de evidencias de validez factorial y confiabilidad de dicha escala. Como hipótesis central de esta investigación, se consideró que la escala podría mantener las dimensiones estructurales reportadas en la versión original, así como la fusión de los ocho mecanismos propuestos por Bandura en un factor de segundo orden. La muestra estuvo conformada por 480 estudiantes universitarios de tres instituciones públicas de nivel superior. Los resultados mostraron que el modelo con una estructura de primer orden en su versión adaptada al español, incluyendo los 32 reactivos propuestos originalmente, presentó características psicométricas adecuadas; sin embargo, el modelo de segundo orden mostró una mejor variabilidad observada en las puntuaciones de 27 reactivos. Además, todos los reactivos tuvieron un valor adecuado con respecto a los índices de bondad de ajuste, así como una suficiente variabilidad explicada tanto en las mujeres como en los hombres. El análisis de fiabilidad de esta escala indica que posee una elevada consistencia interna (α = .89). Con base en estas evidencias, se concluyó que esta escala es un instrumento válido y fiable para evaluar la desvinculación moral en la población general.

Abstract The construct of moral disengagement has relevant consequences in the study of several psychosocial phenomena. Due to the lack of the psychometric characteristics of the Bandura’s Moral Disengagement Scale among Mexican populations, the purpose of this research was to examine the scale’s factorial validity and reliability. As a core hypothesis, it was considered that this scale could keep the structural dimensions reported in the original version as well as the combination of the eight mechanisms proposed by Bandura in a second order factor. The sample included 480 undergraduate students from three public universities. Results showed that the model with a first order factor structure in its version adapted to Spanish, including the original 32 items, revealed acceptable psychometric characteristics; however, the second order model showed a better variability in the scores of the 27 items. All items had an appropriate value regarding the goodness-of-fit indices, as well as an appropriate explained variability both in women and in men. The reliability of this scale revealed an internal consistency (α = .89). In conclusion, this scale is a valid and reliable instrument to measure moral disengagement in the general population.

Resumen Ser madre es considerada una de las experiencias más significativas en la vida de una mujer. A pesar de su importancia en la sociedad, las mujeres mexicanas tienen que enfrentar múltiples desafíos dentro y fuera del hogar. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer los efectos de la depresión, la violencia de pareja y los factores socioculturales presentes en México y los Estados Unidos en la experiencia de ser madre. El discurso de las participantes permitió identificar cinco temas eje: sus propias percepciones como madres, la influencia cultural, el involucramiento parental, los recursos que poseen y las barreras que enfrentan. La principal diferencia entre ambos grupos radica en el apoyo social que diversas organizaciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales proporcionan a las madres inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos.

Abstract Being a mother is one of the most important experiences for many women. In spite of this fact, Mexican women have to face multiple factors affecting her motherhood. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of depression, intimate partner violence as well as the sociocultural factors in Mexico and the United States in the experience of being a mother. In the narratives of these participants, we found five main themes: perceptions, cultural influence, involvement, resources, and barriers. The main difference between both groups was the social support that many governmental agencies and NGO’s in the United States provide to immigrant mothers.

Resumo Havendo poucos estudos que empregam as análises de trajetórias (Path Analysis) para examinar a magnitude dos fatores familiares e sua relação com a violência escolar, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar os efeitos dos conflitos familiares, a coesão, a adaptabilidade, o apoio, a moralidade, a organização familiar, as normas e a comunicação na violência escolar. As análises de trajetórias revelaram que as normas familiares junto com os valores ético-morais que se fomentam no lar tiveram maior impacto nos atos de violência perpetrados pelas mulheres. Também o apoio parental e a comunicação pais-filhos foram os fatores que mais influenciaram na experiência de vitimização para as adolescentes. Por outro lado, para os estudantes masculinos, os conflitos que se geram ao interior da família tiveram a relação mais forte com a violência escolar. Da mesma maneira, a comunicação com seus pais, a coesão familiar e o apoio parental foram os três preditores mais importantes na experiência de vitimização.

Abstract Few studies have used path analysis in order to explore the magnitude of family factors associated with violence in schools. With the purpose of filling this gap in the literature, the objective of this research was to examine the effects of family conflicts, cohesion, adaptability, support, morality, family organization, norms, and communication in bullying. Path analysis showed that family norms and ethic-moral values promoted at home had the main impact on bullying among women. Likewise, parental support and parent-child communication were the factors that most influenced the experience of victimization among women. On the other hand, for male students, family conflicts had the strongest relationship with bullying. In the same way, communication with their parents, family cohesion and parental support were the three most important predictors in the experience of victimization.

Resumen Habiendo pocos estudios que han empleado los análisis de trayectorias (Path Analysis) para examinar la magnitud de los factores familiares y su relación con la violencia escolar, el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los efectos de los conflictos familiares, la cohesión, la adaptabilidad, el apoyo, la moralidad, la organización familiar, las normas y la comunicación en la violencia escolar. Los análisis de trayectorias revelaron que las normas familiares junto con los valores ético-morales que se fomentan en el hogar tuvieron el mayor impacto en los actos de violencia perpetrados por las mujeres. Así mismo, el apoyo parental y la comunicación padres-hijos fueron los factores que más influyeron en la experiencia de victimización para las adolescentes. Por otra parte, para los estudiantes varones, los conflictos que se generan al interior de la familia tuvieron la relación más fuerte con la violencia escolar. De la misma manera, la comunicación con sus padres, la cohesión familiar y el apoyo parental fueron los tres predictores más importantes en la experiencia de victimización.

The process of immigration involves multiple challenges and barriers as well as benefits and opportunities. Each year, innumerable Latin American families immigrate to the United States of America seeking employment, medical care, or education for their children. The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore the effects of the process of acculturation in the parental involvement and maternal self-efficacy among Latin American immigrant mothers living in the United States. In order to achieve this objective, four research questions were formulated: (1) Whatis the description that Latin American immigrant women express about their own process of acculturation? (2) What are the changes these women have experienced during their acculturation process to the United States of America? (3) How Latin American immigrant mothers are involved in the academic, emotional, social, and behavioral development of their children (4) What are the perceptions that Latin American immigrant women have about their abilities and resources as mothers? In the present study, 14 women from five different Latin American countries participated in qualitative interviews. Participants' narratives were analyzed using the Consensual Qualitative Research method proposed by Hill, Thompson and Williams. After having analyzed all transcripts, five main themes were identified: (1) Adaptation, (2) Expectations, (3) Challenges, (4) Benefits, and (5) Resources. Results shows that participants had to adapt their behavior and ideas to the current American traditions, laws, and norms. Regarding participants' expectations, they talked about how one of their main expectations was to obtain an employment with which they could satisfy their basic needs and provide a good educational level to their children. Immigrants experience multiple obstacles; for instance, lack of employment and health services, legal status, changes in family functioning, separation from family, discrimination, fear of deportation, intergenerational conflicts, and language proficiency. Besides these external barriers and challenges, Latin American immigrants are affected by internal challenges with possible negative consequences, such as intimate partner violence, despondent moods, loneliness, feeling of inadequacy, gender inequality, stress, anxiety, and alcoholism. In this study, the main barriers these participants had to cope were their immigration status, separation from their families, and language proficiency. In contrast, these participants had several benefits as a result of their decision to immigrate to the United States of America such as economic resources, their children's education, and professional information they received that helped them improve their maternal skills. In consequence, they have been able to develop their maternal skills and spend quality time with their children. All participants in this research emphasized that these benefits have been determinant for their parental involvement. The last factor related to their maternal experience was the resources they have found in the United States of American. Participants talked about the support they have received from the American government, formal and informal knowledge about how to become a better mother, and the social support provided by other Latin American families. In general terms, immigrants experience better life conditions when they have a network of relatives and friends previously established in the receiving country. Consequently, they have more opportunities for a successful relocation in the new region. The importance of social support is related to the presence of these networks which provide any kind of support when necessary. In particular, due to this support, these participants have had a better adaptation to their new life. In conclusion, this research reveals that in spite of multiple challenges Latin American immigrants have to cope, all participants concluded that after immigrating to the United States of America their competence and involvement as mothers have increased.

La inmigración a los Estados Unidos conlleva para las familias latinoamericanas una serie de desafíos y adversidades así como múltiples oportunidades y beneficios. Desde esta perspectiva, el objetivo de la investigación que se informa fue analizar el impacto que tiene este proceso de adaptación en el involucramiento parental y la autoeficacia materna de las mujeres inmigrantes latinoamericanas que residen en los Estados Unidos. En este estudio participaron 14 mujeres provenientes de cinco países latinoamericanos. Los principales hallazgos muestran que las participantes tuvieron que adaptarse a las tradiciones, leyes y normas de convivencia imperantes en los Estados Unidos. Con respecto a sus expectativas, las participantes describieron el deseo de obtener un trabajo bien remunerado para poder satisfacer las necesidades básicas de su familia así como proveer a sus hijos de una buena educación. Entre las principales adversidades se encuentran el idioma, el estatus migratorio y la separación de sus familiares. En contraste, diversos beneficios tales como la educación de los hijos y la información profesional que recibieron han sido determinantes en su involucramiento parental. De la misma manera, las participantes enfatizaron la importancia de diversos recursos que han encontrado en el país de residencia entre los que se encuentran el apoyo recibido del gobierno norteamericano, los cursos en los que han participado y el apoyo social brindado por otras familias latinoamericanas. Los resultados de la investigación permiten concluir que a pesar de los muchos obstáculos a los que se enfrentan, todas las participantes mencionaron contundentemente que el haber inmigrado a los Estados Unidos ha enriquecido su experiencia como madres.

Abstract: The obstacles found on the route towards the United States and the adaptation to the American norms and customs entails a big challenge for Hispanic immigrants. The objective of this qualitative study was to investigate based on a phenomenological approach the meaning of the life experiences of eight women of Hispanic origin who are living in the Dallas metroplex in Texas. In order to achieve this goal, a semi-structured interview protocol was designed whose purpose was to explore the motives they had to leave their countries of origin and describe the main experiences they have lived in their own process of acculturation. In the participants experiences, specific factors strongly related to this process were identified, such as leaving their native countries in search of better economic conditions in the United States, feelings of nostalgia and sadness, the fear of being deported, the adaptation to the American culture, their children’s bilingualism, the continuous support of their family and friends, the possibility of working on the workforce, the barrier of English language and contact with other Latinos. As it was confirmed in this study, the presence of these factors is a key element for understanding the vicissitudes associated with the life of immigrants of Hispanic origin once they cross the border.

Resumen: Los obstáculos encontrados en el camino hacia los Estados Unidos y la adaptación a las normas y costumbres norteamericanas representan un enorme desafío para las inmigrantes hispanas. El objetivo de este estudio cualitativo fue investigar desde un enfoque fenomenológico el significado de las experiencias de vida de ocho mujeres de origen hispano quienes residen en el Metroplex de Dallas, Texas. Para lograr dicho cometido, se diseñó un protocolo de entrevista semi-estructurado cuya finalidad fue explorar los motivos que las llevaron a dejar sus países de origen y describir las principales experiencias que han vivido en su propio proceso de aculturación. En la narrativa de las participantes se identificaron factores fuertemente relacionados con este proceso entre los que destacaron: la búsqueda de mejores condiciones económicas en los Estados Unidos, los sentimientos de nostalgia y tristeza, el miedo a ser deportadas, la adaptación a la cultura norteamericana, el hecho de que sus hijos son bilingües, el continuo apoyo de su familia y amigos, la posibilidad de trabajar en la fuerza laboral, la barrera del idioma inglés y el contacto con otros latinos. Como quedó constatado en este estudio, la presencia de estos factores es un elemento clave para entender las vicisitudes que conlleva la vida de las inmigrantes de origen hispano una vez que logran cruzar la frontera.

Since migration and the resulting acculturation process are such complex, multifaceted phenomena, the aim of this article is to analyze the economic, social, political, and cultural factors involved. To achieve this, the author examines theoretically different empirical studies and papers related to the migratory experience. The article also describes the main reasons why Hispanic immigrants leave their countries of origin, as well as the main factors linked to the acculturation process and the acculturative stress immigrants experience during their stay in the United States.

Siendo la migración y el proceso posterior de aculturación fenómenos tan complejos y multifacéticos, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar los factores económicos, sociales, políticos y culturales inmersos en éstos. Para lograr dicho cometido, aquí se examinaron teóricamente distintos estudios empíricos y trabajos existentes relacionados con la experiencia migratoria. A su vez, este artículo describe los principales motivos que llevan a los inmigrantes hispanos a abandonar sus países de origen, además de que se analizan los principales factores relacionados con el proceso de aculturación y el estrés aculturativo que viven los inmigrantes en su estadía en Estados Unidos.