Familias Unidas’ Crossover Effects on Suicidal Behaviors among Hispanic Adolescents: Results from an Effectiveness Trial

The long‐term impact of Familias Unidas on suicidal behaviors among Hispanic 8th graders (N = 746) was examined along with parent–adolescent communication as a moderator of intervention effectiveness. At baseline, 9.2% (95% CI = 7.3%–11.6%) of adolescents reported suicide ideation and 5.7% (95% CI = 4.1%–7.7%) reported a past year suicide attempt. There were no significant intervention effects on suicidal behaviors; however, parent–adolescent communication was a moderator of suicide attempts in the past year, across the intervention (b = ?.01, p = .01). Results suggest that Familias Unidas reduces suicidal behaviors among Hispanic adolescents with low levels of parent–adolescent communication despite no suicide‐specific intervention content. Implications of these findings are discussed.     

Intra-couple similarity in dyadic coping and partners’ adjustment to the birth of a child

Unlike individual perceptions of a couple's functioning, couple-level protective factors against poor adjustment to the birth of a child have rarely been studied. This study examined similarity or reciprocal exchanges in dyadic coping (DC) during pregnancy (T1) and at 6 weeks postpartum (T2) and its associations with both partners’ adjustment at 6–9 months postpartum (T3). Ninety-two Portuguese couples provided data on DC, internalizing symptoms, dyadic adjustment and parenting stress. An individual's perceived similarity at T1 positively predicted his or her own internalizing symptoms at T3. One partner's perceived similarity at T2 negatively predicted the other partner's internalizing symptoms and parenting stress at T3. These associations controlled for stereotype effects (i.e., similarity due to shared cultural norms and values). Both partners’ adjustment seems to benefit from unique similarity within the couple after childbirth, while complementarity in DC during pregnancy appears to be more beneficial in the long term. Our findings suggest important refinements to DC-based interventions already aimed to promote similarity in DC.