Graciela Espinosa-Hernández
Biographic Data
| ID | 759317 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Graciela Espinosa-Hernández |
| GIVEN NAMES | Graciela |
| FAMILY NAME | Espinosa-Hernández |
| SIGNATURE | ESPINOSA-HERNÁNDEZ G |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of North Carolina Wilmington |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1503-3158 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 28 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 101 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 28 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2003 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
The Role of Daily Stressors and Masculine Values on Mexican Adolescent Aggression
We examined associations between daily stressors and the masculine values of machismo (i.e., hypermasculinity) and caballerismo (i.e., chivalry) in Mexican adolescent verbal and physical aggression. We also explored whether machismo and caballerismo moderated the association between stressors and aggression among boys and girls. Mexican adolescents ( N = 724; 48% girls; M age = 14.74, SD = 1.80) completed a paper and pencil survey in their classr…
Religiosity and Sexual Intentions Among Mexican Catholic Adolescents
The role of parental psychological control in domain-specific self-esteem among Mexican adolescents
The present study is one of the first to examine the role of cultural values in the relationships between parental psychological control and domain-specific self-esteem in Mexican adolescents. In addition, it empirically validated a psychological control scale among Mexican adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Early Non-Coital Sexual and Romantic Behaviors in Latine Adolescents
This secondary data analysis examined how adolescent early non-coital sexual and romantic behaviors and intentions vary by U.S. Latine origin (e.g., Cuban-, Dominican-, Mexican-, Puerto Rican-, Central and South American, and Other-origin), and explored whether these differences remained when accounting for demographic and cultural factors (e.g., familism). We used data from the baseline and Year 3 follow-ups of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Dev…
Embracing the hidden potential
Research on adolescence from the Majority World possesses major hidden potential in contributing to global adolescent research and developmental science more broadly. In this commentary, the authors (1) describe the background and the process through which this special issue came into fruition, (2) introduce the emic approaches to study the influences of macro-contextual variations on developmental science and provide several pertinent examples o…
Processes underlying Mexican adolescents’ sexual behaviors and intentions
Findings highlight the relevance of caregivers and cultural values in Mexican adolescents' sexual health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Perspectives of researchers engaging in majority world research to promote diverse and global psychological science
Journal analyses have documented the historical neglect of research pertaining to the Majority World in psychological science, and the need for inclusivity is clearly articulated to ensure a science that is comprehensive and globally applicable. However, no systematic efforts have explored the perspectives of researchers working with Majority World communities regarding the challenges they experience in conducting and disseminating research and w…
Associations between parental and adolescent alcohol use
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the role of gender and familism support in the associations between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors in a sample of Mexican adolescents. METHOD: Mexican adolescents (49% girls; N = 724) aged 12-19 completed measures assessing familism support, self-reported drinking behaviors, and perceptions of parental drinking behaviors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that both gender and familism support m…
Patterns of Sexual Well-Being in Mexican Adolescents and Associations with Psychological Adjustment
We examined Mexican adolescent sexual well-being tasks, defined as the positive cognitive and emotional evaluations of one's sexuality. We assessed three dimensions: acceptance of sexual desire, sexual decision-making involving mutual consent, and, when sexually active, the practice of safe sex. We utilized a person-centered approach to examine how patterns marked by different aspects of sexual well-being predict psychological adjustment. Partici…
Barriers to mother‐adolescent communication about sex, maternal monitoring and sexual behaviour among adolescents in Mexico
Mexican mothers have an important role in adolescent sexuality; however, they report multiple barriers to parent–child sex communication, which may impact adolescent sexual behaviour. This cross‐sectional study examines whether adolescent perceptions of maternal barriers to communication are associated with adolescent sexual behaviour frequency indirectly through its association with maternal monitoring, and whether these associations differ by a…
Impulsivity in Mexican Adolescent Sexuality
Alcohol and other substance use by faculty, staff, and students in a university community during two hurricanes
Communities commonly warn against heavy alcohol and other substance use during natural disasters like hurricanes, because such use may produce risk for individuals and communities, with studies showing deleterious effects persisting months or even years. Examining patterns and emotional correlates of use in the immediate presence of hurricanes may identify useful risk prevention targets. We assessed self-reported substance use and emotions in a u…
Romantic relationships and sexuality in diverse adolescent populations
Although scientific research on adolescent romantic and sexual development has proliferated in recent years, currently, too little is known about how development in these areas can be understood across diverse populations (e.g., different socio‐cultural groups within countries) and contexts (e.g., countries or different proximal social environments). The goal of the current virtual special issue in the Journal of Adolescence was to highlight rele…
The role of Latino masculine values in Mexican adolescent sexuality
The current study expands the understanding of how general and sexual culture-specific values are associated with the sexual intentions and behaviors of Mexican adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Multidimensional Profiles of Religiosity Among Adolescents
Religiosity is associated with sexual behavior in adolescence; however, religiosity is a multidimensional construct, and it is not clear how different patterns of religiosity may differentially predict sexual behaviors and romantic relationships. We apply latent class analysis to nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 10,149) to examine (1) what religiosity profiles exist…
Patterns of Sexual Behaviors in Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in Mexico
Recent research has documented the importance of understanding the multidimensional nature of sexual risk behavior. However, little is known about patterns of sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mexico, men who are at greatest risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections compared to other subpopulations in the country. This study applied latent class analysis to data from a large, HIV-negative sample of 18- to 25-year-old…
Relating Gender to Sex
Adolescence is a critical life stage when individuals further consolidate their gender role concepts, develop sexual beliefs, and likely begin to experiment with sexual behaviors. While there have been numerous studies on adolescents' gender role attitudes, sexual beliefs, and sexual behaviors, the bulk of this research has been based on Western samples. The current study aimed to expand our knowledge of adolescents' gender and sexuality by exami…
Perceived Consequences of First Intercourse Among Mexican Adolescents and Associated Psychosocial Variables
Sociocultural Influences on the Association Between Negative Romantic Experiences and Psychological Maladjustment in Mexican Adolescents
The goal of this study was to examine whether cultural values (familismo, female virginity) and gender moderated the associations between negative romantic experiences and psychological maladjustment (depressive, anxiety symptoms) in a sample of Mexican adolescents. Self-report survey data were collected from 973 adolescents (M = 15.14 years old; 56% girls) in Mexico. Findings revealed more depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents who re…
Romantic relationships in Mexico
This study examined whether adolescents' perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring were associated with dating experience (experience vs. no experience) and romantic relationship duration in Mexico. We also explored whether respeto, age, and gender moderated these associations. Mexican adolescents (54% girls), aged 12-19, self-reported on their perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring and romantic relationships. Findings suggest that mor…
Positive and negative perceived consequences of first intercourse among middle and high school students in Puebla, Mexico
Relatively little is known about young people's interpretations of sexual behaviour in Latin America. In this study, we examine the most commonly perceived consequences of first sexual intercourse among Mexican middle and high school students, how perceived consequences differ by gender, and factors that may predict experiencing more positive or negative consequences. Sexually active Mexican students aged 12-19 years (n = 268) reported whether th…
Gender’s Role in Misperceptions of Peers’ Sexual Motives
Sexual Behaviors in Mexico
Adolescent sexuality research has expanded to include noncoital behaviors, but there is limited knowledge about individual factors such as cultural values associated with these sexual behaviors outside of industrialized nations. Thus, we examined associations between Latino values (familism, sexual guilt, and importance of female virginity) and three sexual behaviors (making out, oral sex, and vaginal sex), among adolescents ages 12-19 (53% femal…
The Role of Religiousness and Gender in Sexuality Among Mexican Adolescents
This study examined the role of religiousness and gender in age at first intercourse, and sexual expectations and values in Mexico, a macrocontext where the majority is Mexican and Catholic (83%). Participants were Catholic and nonreligious adolescents (54% girls) attending middle (71%) or high school. Findings indicated that Catholic adolescents engaged in sexual intercourse at later ages than nonreligious adolescents. Both religious attendance …
How Gendered Attitudes Relate to Women’s and Men’s Sexual Behaviors and Beliefs
Sex-Related Communication With Mothers and Close Friends During the Transition to University
The current study examines communication about sex-related topics with close friends and mothers during the first semester of college. Students (N = 182, 50% female, mean age = 18.5) completed surveys about the frequency and quality of their sex-related communication with same-sex close friends and mothers, and sexual experience and attitudes. Sex-related communication was more frequently reported by women than men and with close friends than wit…
How Gendered Attitudes Relate to Women’s and Men’s Sexual Behaviors and Beliefs
Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes and Ethnic Identity During College
This study examined ethnic differences in sexual behaviors and attitudes, and associations between ethnic identity commitment and sexual behaviors and attitudes. African American (32%), Latino American (29%), and European American (39%) first-year college students (N = 434; 52% female) completed surveys about their sexual behaviors (number of partners, condom use, and alcohol use before intercourse) and attitudes (conservative attitudes, condom-r…
Perspectives of researchers engaging in majority world research to promote diverse and global psychological science
Journal analyses have documented the historical neglect of research pertaining to the Majority World in psychological science, and the need for inclusivity is clearly articulated to ensure a science that is comprehensive and globally applicable. However, no systematic efforts have explored the perspectives of researchers working with Majority World communities regarding the challenges they experience in conducting and disseminating research and w…
Multidimensional Profiles of Religiosity Among Adolescents
Religiosity is associated with sexual behavior in adolescence; however, religiosity is a multidimensional construct, and it is not clear how different patterns of religiosity may differentially predict sexual behaviors and romantic relationships. We apply latent class analysis to nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 10,149) to examine (1) what religiosity profiles exist…
Perceived Consequences of First Intercourse Among Mexican Adolescents and Associated Psychosocial Variables
Sexual Behaviors in Mexico
Adolescent sexuality research has expanded to include noncoital behaviors, but there is limited knowledge about individual factors such as cultural values associated with these sexual behaviors outside of industrialized nations. Thus, we examined associations between Latino values (familism, sexual guilt, and importance of female virginity) and three sexual behaviors (making out, oral sex, and vaginal sex), among adolescents ages 12-19 (53% femal…
The Role of Religiousness and Gender in Sexuality Among Mexican Adolescents
This study examined the role of religiousness and gender in age at first intercourse, and sexual expectations and values in Mexico, a macrocontext where the majority is Mexican and Catholic (83%). Participants were Catholic and nonreligious adolescents (54% girls) attending middle (71%) or high school. Findings indicated that Catholic adolescents engaged in sexual intercourse at later ages than nonreligious adolescents. Both religious attendance …
Relating Gender to Sex
Adolescence is a critical life stage when individuals further consolidate their gender role concepts, develop sexual beliefs, and likely begin to experiment with sexual behaviors. While there have been numerous studies on adolescents' gender role attitudes, sexual beliefs, and sexual behaviors, the bulk of this research has been based on Western samples. The current study aimed to expand our knowledge of adolescents' gender and sexuality by exami…
Patterns of Sexual Behaviors in Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in Mexico
Recent research has documented the importance of understanding the multidimensional nature of sexual risk behavior. However, little is known about patterns of sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mexico, men who are at greatest risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections compared to other subpopulations in the country. This study applied latent class analysis to data from a large, HIV-negative sample of 18- to 25-year-old…
Gender’s Role in Misperceptions of Peers’ Sexual Motives
Processes underlying Mexican adolescents’ sexual behaviors and intentions
Findings highlight the relevance of caregivers and cultural values in Mexican adolescents' sexual health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Sociocultural Influences on the Association Between Negative Romantic Experiences and Psychological Maladjustment in Mexican Adolescents
The goal of this study was to examine whether cultural values (familismo, female virginity) and gender moderated the associations between negative romantic experiences and psychological maladjustment (depressive, anxiety symptoms) in a sample of Mexican adolescents. Self-report survey data were collected from 973 adolescents (M = 15.14 years old; 56% girls) in Mexico. Findings revealed more depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents who re…
Embracing the hidden potential
Research on adolescence from the Majority World possesses major hidden potential in contributing to global adolescent research and developmental science more broadly. In this commentary, the authors (1) describe the background and the process through which this special issue came into fruition, (2) introduce the emic approaches to study the influences of macro-contextual variations on developmental science and provide several pertinent examples o…
The role of Latino masculine values in Mexican adolescent sexuality
The current study expands the understanding of how general and sexual culture-specific values are associated with the sexual intentions and behaviors of Mexican adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Romantic relationships in Mexico
This study examined whether adolescents' perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring were associated with dating experience (experience vs. no experience) and romantic relationship duration in Mexico. We also explored whether respeto, age, and gender moderated these associations. Mexican adolescents (54% girls), aged 12-19, self-reported on their perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring and romantic relationships. Findings suggest that mor…
Menstrual-related changes expected by premenarcheal girls living in rural and urban areas of Mexico
Sex-Related Communication With Mothers and Close Friends During the Transition to University
The current study examines communication about sex-related topics with close friends and mothers during the first semester of college. Students (N = 182, 50% female, mean age = 18.5) completed surveys about the frequency and quality of their sex-related communication with same-sex close friends and mothers, and sexual experience and attitudes. Sex-related communication was more frequently reported by women than men and with close friends than wit…
Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes and Ethnic Identity During College
This study examined ethnic differences in sexual behaviors and attitudes, and associations between ethnic identity commitment and sexual behaviors and attitudes. African American (32%), Latino American (29%), and European American (39%) first-year college students (N = 434; 52% female) completed surveys about their sexual behaviors (number of partners, condom use, and alcohol use before intercourse) and attitudes (conservative attitudes, condom-r…
How Gendered Attitudes Relate to Women’s and Men’s Sexual Behaviors and Beliefs
Sexual Behaviors in Mexico
Adolescent sexuality research has expanded to include noncoital behaviors, but there is limited knowledge about individual factors such as cultural values associated with these sexual behaviors outside of industrialized nations. Thus, we examined associations between Latino values (familism, sexual guilt, and importance of female virginity) and three sexual behaviors (making out, oral sex, and vaginal sex), among adolescents ages 12-19 (53% femal…
The Role of Religiousness and Gender in Sexuality Among Mexican Adolescents
This study examined the role of religiousness and gender in age at first intercourse, and sexual expectations and values in Mexico, a macrocontext where the majority is Mexican and Catholic (83%). Participants were Catholic and nonreligious adolescents (54% girls) attending middle (71%) or high school. Findings indicated that Catholic adolescents engaged in sexual intercourse at later ages than nonreligious adolescents. Both religious attendance …
Positive and negative perceived consequences of first intercourse among middle and high school students in Puebla, Mexico
Relatively little is known about young people's interpretations of sexual behaviour in Latin America. In this study, we examine the most commonly perceived consequences of first sexual intercourse among Mexican middle and high school students, how perceived consequences differ by gender, and factors that may predict experiencing more positive or negative consequences. Sexually active Mexican students aged 12-19 years (n = 268) reported whether th…
Gender’s Role in Misperceptions of Peers’ Sexual Motives
Romantic relationships in Mexico
This study examined whether adolescents' perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring were associated with dating experience (experience vs. no experience) and romantic relationship duration in Mexico. We also explored whether respeto, age, and gender moderated these associations. Mexican adolescents (54% girls), aged 12-19, self-reported on their perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring and romantic relationships. Findings suggest that mor…
Perceived Consequences of First Intercourse Among Mexican Adolescents and Associated Psychosocial Variables
Sociocultural Influences on the Association Between Negative Romantic Experiences and Psychological Maladjustment in Mexican Adolescents
The goal of this study was to examine whether cultural values (familismo, female virginity) and gender moderated the associations between negative romantic experiences and psychological maladjustment (depressive, anxiety symptoms) in a sample of Mexican adolescents. Self-report survey data were collected from 973 adolescents (M = 15.14 years old; 56% girls) in Mexico. Findings revealed more depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents who re…
Multidimensional Profiles of Religiosity Among Adolescents
Religiosity is associated with sexual behavior in adolescence; however, religiosity is a multidimensional construct, and it is not clear how different patterns of religiosity may differentially predict sexual behaviors and romantic relationships. We apply latent class analysis to nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 10,149) to examine (1) what religiosity profiles exist…
Patterns of Sexual Behaviors in Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in Mexico
Recent research has documented the importance of understanding the multidimensional nature of sexual risk behavior. However, little is known about patterns of sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mexico, men who are at greatest risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections compared to other subpopulations in the country. This study applied latent class analysis to data from a large, HIV-negative sample of 18- to 25-year-old…
Relating Gender to Sex
Adolescence is a critical life stage when individuals further consolidate their gender role concepts, develop sexual beliefs, and likely begin to experiment with sexual behaviors. While there have been numerous studies on adolescents' gender role attitudes, sexual beliefs, and sexual behaviors, the bulk of this research has been based on Western samples. The current study aimed to expand our knowledge of adolescents' gender and sexuality by exami…
Romantic relationships and sexuality in diverse adolescent populations
Although scientific research on adolescent romantic and sexual development has proliferated in recent years, currently, too little is known about how development in these areas can be understood across diverse populations (e.g., different socio‐cultural groups within countries) and contexts (e.g., countries or different proximal social environments). The goal of the current virtual special issue in the Journal of Adolescence was to highlight rele…
The role of Latino masculine values in Mexican adolescent sexuality
The current study expands the understanding of how general and sexual culture-specific values are associated with the sexual intentions and behaviors of Mexican adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Barriers to mother‐adolescent communication about sex, maternal monitoring and sexual behaviour among adolescents in Mexico
Mexican mothers have an important role in adolescent sexuality; however, they report multiple barriers to parent–child sex communication, which may impact adolescent sexual behaviour. This cross‐sectional study examines whether adolescent perceptions of maternal barriers to communication are associated with adolescent sexual behaviour frequency indirectly through its association with maternal monitoring, and whether these associations differ by a…
Impulsivity in Mexican Adolescent Sexuality
Alcohol and other substance use by faculty, staff, and students in a university community during two hurricanes
Communities commonly warn against heavy alcohol and other substance use during natural disasters like hurricanes, because such use may produce risk for individuals and communities, with studies showing deleterious effects persisting months or even years. Examining patterns and emotional correlates of use in the immediate presence of hurricanes may identify useful risk prevention targets. We assessed self-reported substance use and emotions in a u…
Associations between parental and adolescent alcohol use
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the role of gender and familism support in the associations between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors in a sample of Mexican adolescents. METHOD: Mexican adolescents (49% girls; N = 724) aged 12-19 completed measures assessing familism support, self-reported drinking behaviors, and perceptions of parental drinking behaviors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that both gender and familism support m…
Patterns of Sexual Well-Being in Mexican Adolescents and Associations with Psychological Adjustment
We examined Mexican adolescent sexual well-being tasks, defined as the positive cognitive and emotional evaluations of one's sexuality. We assessed three dimensions: acceptance of sexual desire, sexual decision-making involving mutual consent, and, when sexually active, the practice of safe sex. We utilized a person-centered approach to examine how patterns marked by different aspects of sexual well-being predict psychological adjustment. Partici…
Processes underlying Mexican adolescents’ sexual behaviors and intentions
Findings highlight the relevance of caregivers and cultural values in Mexican adolescents' sexual health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Perspectives of researchers engaging in majority world research to promote diverse and global psychological science
Journal analyses have documented the historical neglect of research pertaining to the Majority World in psychological science, and the need for inclusivity is clearly articulated to ensure a science that is comprehensive and globally applicable. However, no systematic efforts have explored the perspectives of researchers working with Majority World communities regarding the challenges they experience in conducting and disseminating research and w…
Embracing the hidden potential
Research on adolescence from the Majority World possesses major hidden potential in contributing to global adolescent research and developmental science more broadly. In this commentary, the authors (1) describe the background and the process through which this special issue came into fruition, (2) introduce the emic approaches to study the influences of macro-contextual variations on developmental science and provide several pertinent examples o…
The role of parental psychological control in domain-specific self-esteem among Mexican adolescents
The present study is one of the first to examine the role of cultural values in the relationships between parental psychological control and domain-specific self-esteem in Mexican adolescents. In addition, it empirically validated a psychological control scale among Mexican adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychology (24 works) · Developmental psychology (21 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (16 works) · Clinical Psychology (13 works) · Sexual behavior (12 works) · Clinical Psychology (11 works) · Social Psychology (11 works) · Social Psychology (10 works) · Demography (9 works) · Gender Roles and Identity Studies (8 works)