Differences Between Anglo and Mexican American Family Members on Satisfaction with Family Life

Previous researchers have suggested that many of the characteristics of Mexican American families compare unfavorably with those of other groups, especially Anglos. In spite of the controversy associated with such contentions, relatively little research has compared the perceptions of multiple family members in Anglo and Hispanic families regarding their satisfaction with multiple aspects of family life. In the present study, based upon random samples of rural and urban intact families in 14 states, perceptions of parents and one adolescent family member were compared on four aspects of family life satisfaction. The Hispanic family members reported higher satisfaction in most areas, with the significant differences remaining even after controls for duration of residence in state, area of residence, education, income, and family size.