My research explores the influence of family members (mothers, fathers, and sisters) on Latina young women’s body image, eating behaviors, and mental health outcomes. Additionally, I explore the protective nature of cultural values in various contexts and their role in shaping family dynamics and relationships, particularly in parent-adolescent and sibling relationships. My research and outreach aim to promote cultural wellness, healthy family relationships, the well-being of youth and families, and destigmatize mental health within Latinx communities, which aligns with MPC's Population Health and Health Systems research area.
Dra. Avelina Rivero is a mixed-methods researcher and community-engaged scholar. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota and an Extension Specialist at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on identifying the sociocultural factors that contribute to Latina young women’s development. Specifically, she explores how family members (mothers, fathers, sisters) and U.S. beauty standards impact Latinas’ perception of their bodies, eating behavior, and mental health. She also examines how cultural values may promote resiliency across contexts and shape how families interact with each other and family relationships, specifically focusing on parent-adolescent and sibling relationships. Her community-engaged work promotes cultural awareness and health, community resiliency, and family wellbeing. She is dedicated to reducing mental health stigma, bringing awareness to mental health disparities faced by immigrant Latinx communities, and encouraging mental health dialogue to reduce the negative beliefs among the Latinx communities. As a Latina scholar, she prides herself in making her research accessible to the broader community by developing culturally informed resources.