ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the effects of sociocultural factors on maternal socialization strategies that promote children’s health knowledge, and identifies strategies used by Mexican American mothers to promote healthful practices in their preschool and school-aged children. Precise estimates of Hispanic death rates are impossible to determine because until 1988, the national death certificates did not include Hispanic identifiers. Hispanics, when compared with their non-Hispanic white counterparts, are at an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and certain types of cancer. The health status of the diverse Hispanic subgroups in the United States is influenced by varied economic, cultural, and social factors. Mexican American mothers to promote healthful practices in their preschool and school-aged children. Maternal health locus of control beliefs and acculturation levels were found to be predictors of socialization strategies. Maternal acculturation was also found to be a predictor of child-rearing practices.
