Understanding Hispanic Cultural Strengths Through Parents’ Voices: Insights for Interdisciplinary School Personnel

Examining the strengths of Hispanic cultural values among K-12 school students is a generally understudied concept, and from their parents’ perspective specifically. This study sought to take a qualitative approach toward the exploration of Hispanic parents’ perspectives on how their cultural values promote strengths within their school-aged children. Hispanic parents (N = 8) participated in bilingual (i.e., Spanish and English) focus groups, with the results providing content that can inform culturally responsive prevention and intervention strategies to support the roles of interdisciplinary school personnel who regularly interact with the children. Findings pointed to (a) interaction with peers and school staff, (b) location of family, (c) community homogeneity and discrimination, and (d) religious community support. Practical implications for interdisciplinary school personnel and directions for future research promoting Hispanic cultural strengths are discussed.