Experiences of Latino Youth Caregivers: Cultural Variation in Youth Caregiving 

Youth who care for family report mental health struggles, poor attendance and performance at school, chronic stress, and social isolation. Research on caregiving youth has neglected the experiences of youth caregivers from immigrant and minority backgrounds. This study contrasts the experience of Latina/o youth caregivers with non-Latino youth caregivers. Latino youth caregivers expressed a cultural expectation for care. Contrary to extant literature, Latino youth caregivers did not report ill effects to school performance or attendance. Compared to non-caregiving youth, Latino caregivers felt less physically fit, and had less energy, despite feeling needed and happy about being a young caregiver. 

This poster will show learners how to: 

• Describe the types of caregiving performed by Latino youth and how these relate to children’s wellbeing 
• Compare and contrast the experience of Latino youth who care for family members with that of non-Latino youth in the extant literature 
• Instigate a productive discussion about where other cultural variation in caregiving might exist and how this might inform efforts to support youth caregivers 

Author: Amy Dexter, Student, CSU San Marcos