Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026)

Research Articles

Neglecting Connection: Associations Between Parental Emotional Support and Youth Mental Health in Four Latin American Countries {under peer review}

Published 19-07-2026

  • Clariana Ramos de Oliveira
    • ,
  • Hannah Fraley
    • ,
  • Timothy Grigsby
    • ,
  • Cauane Blumenberg
    • ,
  • Rafaela Martins
    • ,
  • Stevan Weine
    • ,
  • Candace Burton

Clariana Ramos de Oliveira
School of Nursing, University of Nevada Las Vegas. 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89154, United States;

Hannah Fraley
Blooming Integrative Psychiatry, Inc.: Canyon Lake, California, United States

Timothy Grigsby
Public Health School, University of Nevada Las Vegas. 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89154, United States

Cauane Blumenberg
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. 1160 Marechal Deodoro Street, 3rd floor, 96020-220 Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Causale consultoria, Pelotas, Brazil. Av. Adolfo Fetter 4331 – B25, Pelotas, RS, Brazil

Rafaela Martins
Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. 1160 Marechal Deodoro Street, 3rd floor, 96020-220 Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Causale consultoria, Pelotas, Brazil. Av. Adolfo Fetter 4331 – B25, Pelotas, RS, Brazil

Stevan Weine
Center for Global Health, University of Illinois in Chicago. 1940 W. Taylor M/ C 584, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

Candace Burton
York University School of Nursing. 04 Scholars Walk |, North York, ON M3J 1P3, Canada

Abstract

Background: Mental health disorders among adolescents in Latin America vary widely, with prevalence ranging from 30.0% in Colombia to 54.8% in Honduras. These disparities occur alongside high rates of alcohol consumption, above the global average. Family support, especially parental involvement, is a critical protective factor, with evidence showing it can buffer against suicide-related behaviors and other adverse outcomes.

Objective: This study examines several dimensions of parental support and their associations with psychological distress, suicidal behavior, and substance use among youth in four Latin American countries. ​​

Methods: Data used in this cross-sectional study came from a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey of 13,174 Latin American youths aged 13 to 24 called the Violence Against Children Survey in Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, and Honduras. Country inclusion was based on the availability of publicly accessible VACS datasets at the time of analysis (2023). We used outcome-specific regression models to assess associations between parental support and youth mental health distress, suicidal and drug use behavior.

Results: In Colombia, difficulty communicating with parents and reduced closeness were linked to increased psychological distress, with similar patterns in El Salvador and Honduras. In Haiti, less closeness with parents was associated with an increased risk for psychological distress. In Colombia, a strong maternal relationship was negatively associated with self-inflicted harm, whereas communication difficulties increased. In El Salvador, a lack of closeness with mothers was positively associated with drug use. Across all four countries, alcohol abuse by the youths consistently showed associations with communication difficulties and a lack of parental closeness.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of parental support and positive parent-youth relationships in promoting adolescent well-being. Strengthening parental communication and family cohesion may help reduce mental health problems and substance use among adolescents.

Keywords

Adolescent, Psychological distress, Substance use, Suicidal behavior, Latin American

Full text (HTML) Review 1: Accept Review 2: Revisions Required

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