Browsing by Author "Rober, Peter"

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Adolescents’ representations of close relationships in the context of parental migration: an exploratory study from Ecuador
(2020) Jerves Hermida, Elena Monserrath; De haene, Lucia; Rober, Peter; Enzlin, Paul
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the association between parental migration and adolescents’ styles of close relationships with parents, friends and romantic partners. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 197 adolescents from Cuenca (Ecuador) participated in the study, of which 35% reported a background of parental migration. The Behavioral Systems Questionnaire was used to assess participants’ relational styles. Findings – The study reveals that, although parental migration is associated with the development of lower secure styles for parents and friends, it is not associated with the development of insecure styles. Moreover, parental migration does not appear to be associated with the development of romantic styles. Based on the differential impact of the migration of one or two parents, the migration of two parents appeared to have a stronger association with lower secure styles. Originality/value – The results are discussed in light of the socio-cultural context in which parental migration occurs in Ecuador, which may offer clue variables in shaping the relational styles of adolescents. The study addresses an important consequence of migration focusing on a scarce studies group, adolescents who stay in their home country while their parents migrate. Moreover, its main findings challenge the preconceptions that parent-child separations necessarily involve a direct negative impact on relational functioning.
Ambiguous loss in transnational families’ adolescents: an exploratory study in Ecuador
(2020) Jerves Hermida, Elena Monserrath; Rober, Peter; Enzlin, Paul; De haene, Lucia
In psychosocial migration literature, the perspective of ambiguous loss has been relevant to articulate personal and relational experiences in the context of transnational families and ongoing separation. Most studies have focused on adult members’ experiences of transnational families, but research exploring ambiguous loss in adolescents whose parents have migrated is still lacking. The present study aimed to explore adolescents’ lived experiences of parental migration. In a pilot explorative study, 14 adolescents with at least one parent who migrated were interviewed about their lived experiences of transnational parent-child relationships and ongoing parent-child separation. Data analysis identified four themes in participants’ accounts: practices of separation creating confusion; current relationship with migrant parents permeated by ambiguity; distrustful representations of migrant parents; and family and social dynamics reactivating the pain of loss. The findings reveal how in the context of parental migration, patterns of separation and ongoing relational processes, compounded by the uncertainty of reunification and an exclusionary social fabric, constitute core elements that shape adolescents’ lived experiences of parent-child relationships characterized by ambiguity. © 2019 Family Process Institute
Characteristics of romantic relationships during adolescence: A review of Anglo-western literature
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2013-12) Jerves Hermida, Elena Monserrath; Rober, Peter; Enzlin, Paul; Universidad de Cuenca; Dirección de Investigación de la Universidad de Cuenca; DIUC
Romantic relationships are a central aspect of the life of adolescents and have an important influence on the socio-affective and sexual development. This paper presents a review of the scientific literature on romantic relationships during adolescence and aims to unravel the ongoing debate in the literature and to identify possible gaps. The review encompasses the analysis of 36 studies on romantic relationships in adolescence, all published in peer-reviewed English scientific journals. The analysis of the published data was guided by five central characteristics of romantic relationships of adolescents: i.e., involvement, partner selection, content, quality, and emotions and cognitions emerging from the relationship. It was found that although during the last decade a growing interest of scholars in the study of romantic relationships in adolescents emerged, providing a certain body of knowledge on the topic in general, there are still gaps in the understanding of adolescents’ romantic relationships in different socio-cultural contexts. Limitations of the reviewed studies in terms of agreement on definitions, inconsistencies in sample population, research design and methodological approach are discussed.
Traditional gender roles translating into behaviors within adolescents’ romantic relationships
(2022) Jerves Hermida, Elena Monserrath; Cevallos Neira, Ana Cristina; De Haene, Lucia; Rober, Peter; Enzlin, Paul
While several studies suggest that traditional gender ideologies are strongly embedded in Latino populations, little is known about the way they operate in adolescent’s romantic relationships. This mixed-methods study was carried out with adolescents in Cuenca, Ecuador. In the quantitative component, we assessed adolescents’ support for traditional gender ideologies in a sample of 562 adolescents (n = 309 girls). It was identified that the majority of adolescents were “uncritical” towards traditional ideologies involving masculinity (82%) and femininity (79%). In the qualitative component, the narratives of a sample of 20 adolescents reflected existing discourses on traditional gender roles and revealed how these ideologies are translated into specific behaviors. In this context, romantic relationships can become negative and dysfunctional spaces that affect adolescents’ development.
Understanding parental views of adolescent sexuality and sex education in Ecuador: a qualitative study
(2014) Jerves, Elena; López, Silvia; Castro, Cecilia; Ortiz, William; Palacios, María; Rober, Peter; Enzlin, Paul
Parents' contribution to sex education is increasingly receiving research attention. This growing interest stems from recognition of the influence that parental attitudes may have both on young people's sexual attitudes and behaviour, and on school-based sex education. Studies regarding parental attitudes towards sexuality are, however, still rare. The two main objectives of this study were to explore parental views about sexuality and to understand parental attitudes towards sex education. Four focus group discussions were conducted with parents from high schools in Cuenca, Ecuador. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that parents held a restricted view about sex education, grounded in traditional religious ideas about sexuality, which led parents to understand it as a morally and physically dangerous activity. Although parents expressed a willingness to make good quality sex education available to their children, they reported having insufficient personal resources to fulfil that objective. The results of this study provide important information about the need to develop and adapt sex education to each specific cultural context, thereby confirming the importance of knowing about the cultural traditions and religious beliefs that may form obstacles to effective sex education for young people in Ecuador.
Understanding parental views of adolescent sexuality and sex education in Ecuador: a qualitative study. Sex Education
(2014) Jerves Hermida, Elena Monserrath; López Alvarado, Silvia Lucía; Castro, Nube Cecilia; Ortiz Ochoa, William Alfredo; Palacios Madero, María Dolores; Rober, Peter; Enzlin, Paul
Parents’ contribution to sex education is increasingly receiving research attention. Thisgrowing interest stems from recognition of the inﬂuence that parental attitudes mayhave both on young people’s sexual attitudes and behaviour, and on school-based sexeducation. Studies regarding parental attitudes towards sexuality are, however, stillrare. The two main objectives of this study were to explore parental views aboutsexuality and to understand parental attitudes towards sex education. Four focus groupdiscussions were conducted with parents from high schools in Cuenca, Ecuador. Datawere analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that parents held a restrictedview about sex education, grounded in traditional religious ideas about sexuality,which led parents to understand it as a morally and physically dangerous activity.Although parents expressed a willingness to make good quality sex education availableto their children, they reported having insufﬁcient personal resources to fulﬁl thatobjective. The results of this study provide important information about the need todevelop and adapt sex education to each speciﬁc cultural context, thereby conﬁrmingthe importance of knowing about the cultural traditions and religious beliefs that mayform obstacles to effective sex education for young people in Ecuador