Hispanic mother and daughter communicating

Decoding Bullying: How Parents Can Bridge Communication Gaps with Hispanic Daughters

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Mira Elwood in Mind & Education December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the importance of open communication between Hispanic parents and their daughters in addressing bullying, offering insights for a stronger family support system."


Bullying remains a pervasive issue during adolescence, particularly affecting young Hispanic girls who face a heightened risk of negative mental health outcomes. While family support is known to play a crucial role in mitigating bullying, understanding how parents can effectively communicate with their daughters about these experiences is essential.

A new study published in The Journal of School Nursing sheds light on the dynamics of parent-child communication and bullying experiences within Hispanic families. The research uncovers key insights into the prevalence of bullying, the types of communication parents engage in, and the potential impact of cultural factors such as acculturation.

This article explores the study's findings and provides actionable strategies for parents, educators, and school nurses to foster open communication, address bullying effectively, and create a supportive environment for Hispanic adolescent girls. By bridging communication gaps and understanding the nuances of bullying within this population, parents can empower their daughters to navigate these challenges with resilience and strength.

Understanding the Landscape: Bullying and Communication in Hispanic Families

Hispanic mother and daughter communicating

The study revealed that a significant portion of Hispanic seventh-grade girls reported experiencing bullying and victimization. About 57% of daughters reported experiencing some form of victimization and 37% reported engaging in some type of bullying behavior. Verbal and emotional bullying was the most common type of victimization reported, highlighting the often subtle yet damaging nature of this behavior.

While nearly all parents acknowledged discussing bullying with their daughters, the research found no direct link between the frequency of these conversations and the child's experiences with victimization. This suggests that simply talking about bullying may not be enough; the quality and content of these conversations are equally important.

  • Open Dialogue is Key: Encourage your daughter to share her experiences and feelings without judgment.
  • Active Listening: Pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues, demonstrating empathy and understanding.
  • Provide Reassurance: Let your daughter know that she is not alone and that you are there to support her.
  • Problem-Solving Together: Brainstorm potential solutions and coping strategies to empower her to take action.
Moreover, the study investigated the role of acculturation gaps between parents and children. Acculturation gaps emerges when Hispanic youth are more acclimated to American culture while their parents remain accustomed to their native practices. Counter-intuitively, the gap between parent and child acculturation did not appear to moderate this association. The result underscores the importance of open communication regardless of the acculturation dynamic. This surprising finding underscores the importance of open communication, regardless of cultural differences. Focus on building a strong parent-child connection based on trust and mutual understanding.

Turning Research into Action: Practical Strategies for Parents and Educators

The study's findings have important implications for school nurses, parents, and school personnel in addressing bullying behavior. By fostering open communication, promoting cultural understanding, and implementing evidence-based interventions, we can create safer and more supportive environments for Hispanic adolescent girls.

It's crucial to acknowledge the potential influence of methodological differences and the limitations of relying solely on student self-reports. Exploring alternative assessment methods, such as confidential surveys or focus groups, may provide a more comprehensive understanding of bullying dynamics within schools.

Ultimately, addressing bullying requires a collaborative effort involving parents, educators, and the community. By empowering Hispanic adolescent girls with the tools and support they need, we can help them navigate challenges, build resilience, and thrive in a world free from bullying and victimization.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/1059840518808013, Alternate LINK

Title: Parent Communication And Bullying Among Hispanic Adolescent Girls

Subject: Nursing (miscellaneous)

Journal: The Journal of School Nursing

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Ariel U. Smith, Anne E. Norris

Published: 2018-10-24

Everything You Need To Know

1

Does just talking about bullying protect Hispanic daughters from victimization?

The research indicates that simply talking about bullying isn't enough. While nearly all parents acknowledged discussing bullying with their daughters, there was no direct link between the frequency of these conversations and the daughter's experiences with victimization. The quality and content of these conversations are equally important. Parents should focus on open dialogue, active listening, providing reassurance, and problem-solving together.

2

What type of bullying is most often experienced by young Hispanic daughters according to recent research?

According to the study, verbal and emotional bullying were the most common types of victimization reported by Hispanic seventh-grade girls. This means that the bullying often involves words or actions that are intended to harm someone's feelings or emotional well-being. While not always physical, this type of bullying can be deeply damaging.

3

Do acculturation gaps between Hispanic parents and their daughters influence the effectiveness of communication about bullying?

Acculturation gaps, which occur when Hispanic youth are more acclimated to American culture while their parents retain their native practices, did not appear to moderate the association between parent-child communication and bullying experiences. This counter-intuitive finding suggests that regardless of cultural differences, open communication between Hispanic parents and their daughters remains crucial in addressing bullying. Building a strong parent-child connection based on trust and mutual understanding is vital.

4

What actionable steps can I, as a parent, take based on the research to support my Hispanic daughter if she is being bullied?

To help your daughter if she is being bullied, first encourage her to share her experiences and feelings without judgment. Practice active listening, paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues to demonstrate empathy and understanding. Reassure her that she is not alone and that you are there to support her. Work together to brainstorm potential solutions and coping strategies, empowering her to take action. Also, talk to school nurses and teachers.

5

Beyond parents, what other groups play a role in addressing bullying among Hispanic adolescent girls, and how can they help?

School nurses, parents, and school personnel play an important role in addressing bullying behavior among Hispanic adolescent girls. Fostering open communication, promoting cultural understanding, and implementing evidence-based interventions are critical strategies. By working together, these groups can create safer and more supportive environments where Hispanic adolescent girls feel empowered to navigate challenges and thrive.

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