María Elena Villar
Biographic Data
| ID | 4088498 |
|---|---|
| NAME | María Elena Villar |
| GIVEN NAMES | María Elena |
| FAMILY NAME | Villar |
| SIGNATURE | VILLAR M E |
| AFFILIATIONS | Florida International University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-6424-3728 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 29 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1994 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Strategic Communication and Peace-Promotion in a Nigerian Conflict Zone
This article presents a case study on the deployment of strategic communication by Future Prowess Islamic Foundation (FPIF), a non-governmental organization in the northeastern region of Nigeria ravaged by the Boko Haram terrorism crisis. The case study examines how strategic communication was utilized to address risk factors for victims and contribute to peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Using content analysis and in-depth interview methods…
Psychometric Properties of Health Literacy Instruments and their Medical Contexts in Research with Hispanics/Latinos
Social Media and Substance Use Among Young Hispanic EDM Attendees
Universities and student mental health at the intersection of communication, representations, and stigma. An international comparative study
This article analyzes communication and information regarding mental health in four public universities from four different countries, comparing the stigma towards mental health problems and its impact on the willingness to use university health services. It underscores the crucial challenge for universities to understand these complex issues and adapt their internal policies effectively. In this context, internal communication presents itself as…
Visibilidad y percepciones de la salud mental entre universitarios, acceso a los servicios de salud y comunicación universitaria durante la pandemia del Covid-19
Este estudio analiza la comunicación y la información respecto de la salud mental en cuatro universidades públicas pertenecientes a cuatro países y compara las percepciones acerca de la prevalencia y la importancia de los problemas de salud mental y sobre la visibilidad de los servicios de salud universitarios. El objetivo general de este estudio es describir, estudiar y comparar el espacio otorgado por la universidad a esta problemática en sus d…
Tailoring Content for Authenticity and Adoption
This perspective presents concrete examples of how community-based participatory research can be used effectively to decolonize health communication through the co-creation of health communication content specifically tailored to minoritized and underserved communities. The authors describe how community members and researchers partnered to conduct community listening, observation and co-create stories to be used in fotonovelas (graphic stories),…
Padres Activos (Active Fathers)
Research shows that cultural aspects may contribute to obesity among Latinos; however, the role of fathers in the family’s health habits is largely unexplored. Padres Activos (PA) is an experientially-based behavioral intervention designed to address this gap by targeting Latino fathers and their children around issues of food consumption/preparation, physical activity, stress management through education, engagement, and direct experience. This …
Fatherhood Education From a Cultural Perspective
This article uses gender-role theory to consider the involvement of Latino fathers in their children’s lives as a result of participating in a fatherhood educational intervention. Open-ended interviews (n = 48) were conducted with participants of the program. Findings revealed that the content of the group intervention encouraged fathers to redefine their identity as a male and father by examining their own communication, discipline, and self-con…
Comparing Frequency of TV and Internet Use among African-American Students and Their Effects on Material Values and Sociability
This study compares sociability, material values and self-reported happiness among AfricanAmerican university Internet and television consumers.Reminiscent of Marshal McLuhan’s (1979) medium theory, our results highlight the role of technological change in affecting value structures and social behaviors. The results showed that heavy Internet users did not differ from light Internet users in their level of sociability, however, heavy Internet use…
Differences in Acculturation and Trajectories of Anxiety and Alcohol Consumption Among Latina Mothers and Daughters in South Florida
Changes in Family Cohesion and Acculturative Stress among Recent Latino Immigrants
Family relationships can serve as an important source of support during the acculturation process; yet, how the stress related to acculturation, or acculturative stress, may impact family functioning across time is not clear. Participants (n = 479), between the ages of 18-34 were recruited using respondent driven sampling methodology. Findings suggest family cohesion decreased over time; however, it decreased less for those reporting more accultu…
Differences in English- and Spanish-language Health News
The authors explored whether differences exist in the volume of health news coverage in English- and Spanish-language newspapers in the United States, as well as differences in the main topics discussed and the way the issue was framed. A sample of 239 news articles was selected from English- and Spanish-language newspapers in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Analysis revealed that English-language newspapers contained a greater volume…
Constructing Climate Change in the Americas
This study examined the portrayal of climate change in four national newspapers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States. The results indicated that leading media in Brazil and the United States highlighted the policy progress being made to mitigate climate change and presented the issue in economic terms, whereas coverage in Argentina and Colombia portrayed the issue as being urgent and emphasized the catastrophic consequences of …
Effective Pluralistic Participation
This article analyzes the participation of community health workers (CHWs) in a community partnership. Active participation at all levels is needed for effective influence on the goals of the partnership. This case applies the criteria of pluralistic participation, specifically: (a) role of groups involved, (b) opportunity for learning, (c) access to officials, and (d) means of coercion. By applying a pluralistic democratic approach to community …
A Longitudinal Study of Social Capital and Acculturation-Related Stress Among Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida
This study uses social capital to assess the effects of social support on acculturation-related stress among recently immigrated Hispanics in South Florida before and after immigration. At baseline ( N = 527), first 12 months in the United States, acculturative stress was negatively related to support from friends ( p < .044) and positively related to support from parents ( p < .023). At first follow-up ( n = 415), 24 months in the United States,…
Sex education and cultural values
The paper aims to further explore the role that culture plays in the provision and assimilation of sex education among Latina immigrants in the USA. To accomplish this, researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with 30 women from Central and South America who have lived in the USA for at least five years. Participants were asked to reflect on their experience with sex education in their home country and in the USA, and to assess how their…
Health Beliefs and Attitudes of Latino Immigrants
Hindrances to the Development of an Ethnic Economy among Mexican Migrants
To immigrants who cherish the goal of building an ethnic economy, a community divided by differences in legal status and class backgrounds can be an impediment. Mexicans, the largest Hispanic group and major contributor of unauthorized labor flows to the United States, face difficulties in Chicago because migratory processes and larger politico-economic forces foster cleavages within their entrepreneurial sector. Despite their long-term presence,…
Changes in Family Cohesion and Acculturative Stress among Recent Latino Immigrants
Family relationships can serve as an important source of support during the acculturation process; yet, how the stress related to acculturation, or acculturative stress, may impact family functioning across time is not clear. Participants (n = 479), between the ages of 18-34 were recruited using respondent driven sampling methodology. Findings suggest family cohesion decreased over time; however, it decreased less for those reporting more accultu…
A Longitudinal Study of Social Capital and Acculturation-Related Stress Among Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida
This study uses social capital to assess the effects of social support on acculturation-related stress among recently immigrated Hispanics in South Florida before and after immigration. At baseline ( N = 527), first 12 months in the United States, acculturative stress was negatively related to support from friends ( p < .044) and positively related to support from parents ( p < .023). At first follow-up ( n = 415), 24 months in the United States,…
Constructing Climate Change in the Americas
This study examined the portrayal of climate change in four national newspapers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States. The results indicated that leading media in Brazil and the United States highlighted the policy progress being made to mitigate climate change and presented the issue in economic terms, whereas coverage in Argentina and Colombia portrayed the issue as being urgent and emphasized the catastrophic consequences of …
Fatherhood Education From a Cultural Perspective
This article uses gender-role theory to consider the involvement of Latino fathers in their children’s lives as a result of participating in a fatherhood educational intervention. Open-ended interviews (n = 48) were conducted with participants of the program. Findings revealed that the content of the group intervention encouraged fathers to redefine their identity as a male and father by examining their own communication, discipline, and self-con…
Differences in English- and Spanish-language Health News
The authors explored whether differences exist in the volume of health news coverage in English- and Spanish-language newspapers in the United States, as well as differences in the main topics discussed and the way the issue was framed. A sample of 239 news articles was selected from English- and Spanish-language newspapers in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Analysis revealed that English-language newspapers contained a greater volume…
Hindrances to the Development of an Ethnic Economy among Mexican Migrants
To immigrants who cherish the goal of building an ethnic economy, a community divided by differences in legal status and class backgrounds can be an impediment. Mexicans, the largest Hispanic group and major contributor of unauthorized labor flows to the United States, face difficulties in Chicago because migratory processes and larger politico-economic forces foster cleavages within their entrepreneurial sector. Despite their long-term presence,…
Sex education and cultural values
The paper aims to further explore the role that culture plays in the provision and assimilation of sex education among Latina immigrants in the USA. To accomplish this, researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with 30 women from Central and South America who have lived in the USA for at least five years. Participants were asked to reflect on their experience with sex education in their home country and in the USA, and to assess how their…
Health Beliefs and Attitudes of Latino Immigrants
Differences in English- and Spanish-language Health News
The authors explored whether differences exist in the volume of health news coverage in English- and Spanish-language newspapers in the United States, as well as differences in the main topics discussed and the way the issue was framed. A sample of 239 news articles was selected from English- and Spanish-language newspapers in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Analysis revealed that English-language newspapers contained a greater volume…
Constructing Climate Change in the Americas
This study examined the portrayal of climate change in four national newspapers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States. The results indicated that leading media in Brazil and the United States highlighted the policy progress being made to mitigate climate change and presented the issue in economic terms, whereas coverage in Argentina and Colombia portrayed the issue as being urgent and emphasized the catastrophic consequences of …
Effective Pluralistic Participation
This article analyzes the participation of community health workers (CHWs) in a community partnership. Active participation at all levels is needed for effective influence on the goals of the partnership. This case applies the criteria of pluralistic participation, specifically: (a) role of groups involved, (b) opportunity for learning, (c) access to officials, and (d) means of coercion. By applying a pluralistic democratic approach to community …
A Longitudinal Study of Social Capital and Acculturation-Related Stress Among Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida
This study uses social capital to assess the effects of social support on acculturation-related stress among recently immigrated Hispanics in South Florida before and after immigration. At baseline ( N = 527), first 12 months in the United States, acculturative stress was negatively related to support from friends ( p < .044) and positively related to support from parents ( p < .023). At first follow-up ( n = 415), 24 months in the United States,…
Comparing Frequency of TV and Internet Use among African-American Students and Their Effects on Material Values and Sociability
This study compares sociability, material values and self-reported happiness among AfricanAmerican university Internet and television consumers.Reminiscent of Marshal McLuhan’s (1979) medium theory, our results highlight the role of technological change in affecting value structures and social behaviors. The results showed that heavy Internet users did not differ from light Internet users in their level of sociability, however, heavy Internet use…
Differences in Acculturation and Trajectories of Anxiety and Alcohol Consumption Among Latina Mothers and Daughters in South Florida
Changes in Family Cohesion and Acculturative Stress among Recent Latino Immigrants
Family relationships can serve as an important source of support during the acculturation process; yet, how the stress related to acculturation, or acculturative stress, may impact family functioning across time is not clear. Participants (n = 479), between the ages of 18-34 were recruited using respondent driven sampling methodology. Findings suggest family cohesion decreased over time; however, it decreased less for those reporting more accultu…
Fatherhood Education From a Cultural Perspective
This article uses gender-role theory to consider the involvement of Latino fathers in their children’s lives as a result of participating in a fatherhood educational intervention. Open-ended interviews (n = 48) were conducted with participants of the program. Findings revealed that the content of the group intervention encouraged fathers to redefine their identity as a male and father by examining their own communication, discipline, and self-con…
Padres Activos (Active Fathers)
Research shows that cultural aspects may contribute to obesity among Latinos; however, the role of fathers in the family’s health habits is largely unexplored. Padres Activos (PA) is an experientially-based behavioral intervention designed to address this gap by targeting Latino fathers and their children around issues of food consumption/preparation, physical activity, stress management through education, engagement, and direct experience. This …
Tailoring Content for Authenticity and Adoption
This perspective presents concrete examples of how community-based participatory research can be used effectively to decolonize health communication through the co-creation of health communication content specifically tailored to minoritized and underserved communities. The authors describe how community members and researchers partnered to conduct community listening, observation and co-create stories to be used in fotonovelas (graphic stories),…
Visibilidad y percepciones de la salud mental entre universitarios, acceso a los servicios de salud y comunicación universitaria durante la pandemia del Covid-19
Este estudio analiza la comunicación y la información respecto de la salud mental en cuatro universidades públicas pertenecientes a cuatro países y compara las percepciones acerca de la prevalencia y la importancia de los problemas de salud mental y sobre la visibilidad de los servicios de salud universitarios. El objetivo general de este estudio es describir, estudiar y comparar el espacio otorgado por la universidad a esta problemática en sus d…
Universities and student mental health at the intersection of communication, representations, and stigma. An international comparative study
This article analyzes communication and information regarding mental health in four public universities from four different countries, comparing the stigma towards mental health problems and its impact on the willingness to use university health services. It underscores the crucial challenge for universities to understand these complex issues and adapt their internal policies effectively. In this context, internal communication presents itself as…
Psychometric Properties of Health Literacy Instruments and their Medical Contexts in Research with Hispanics/Latinos
Social Media and Substance Use Among Young Hispanic EDM Attendees
Strategic Communication and Peace-Promotion in a Nigerian Conflict Zone
This article presents a case study on the deployment of strategic communication by Future Prowess Islamic Foundation (FPIF), a non-governmental organization in the northeastern region of Nigeria ravaged by the Boko Haram terrorism crisis. The case study examines how strategic communication was utilized to address risk factors for victims and contribute to peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Using content analysis and in-depth interview methods…
Psychology (13 works) · Political science (11 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Social Psychology (7 works) · Immigration (6 works) · Medicine (6 works) · Social Psychology (5 works) · Acculturation (4 works) · Psychological intervention (4 works) · Public health (4 works)