Understanding child well-being in CPS: Nativity and immigration status diversity in Latino families

Objective: In this exploratory descriptive study, we examined the well-being of Latino children involved with child protective services (CPS), focusing on differences by caregiver nativity and immigration status. Background: Latino families in CPS investigations vary in nativity and legal status, potentially shaping children's well-being and access to services. However, limited research disaggregates Latino subgroups, restricting equitable policy development. Method: Using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being III (NSCAW III), we analyzed a sample of 3,151 children whose caregivers were White, Black, U.S.-born Latino, foreign-born Latino with legal residency, or Latino caregivers without legal documentation. Standardized measures assessed depression, behavioral problems, trauma, self-esteem, and violence exposure. Logistic regression models examined well-being differences across racial, ethnic, and nativity subgroups. Results: Children of foreign-born Latino caregivers, including those without legal documentation, were less likely to exhibit externalizing behavioral problems than peers with U.S.-born Latino or White caregivers. However, they faced significantly greater exposure to violence, likely reflecting disparities at the intersection of immigration policy and the child welfare system. These findings illustrate both cultural resilience and systemic vulnerability. Conclusion: Although some Latino children showed fewer behavioral challenges, their increased exposure to violence highlights the need for trauma-informed and culturally responsive services. Implications: Policymakers should address systemic risks linked to immigration-related stress while building on cultural and familial strengths in Latino communities. Future research should explore how acculturation, legal context, and discrimination shape well-being across generations.