College of Education and Human Development

Family Social Science

Avelina Rivero

  • Pronouns: Ella/she/her/hers

  • Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

A professor.

Areas of interest

Latino families
Culture and family interactions and processes
Family relationships (i.e., parent-adolescent and siblings)
Adolescent and young adults’ body image, mental health, and wellbeing
Mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative methods)

Degrees

PhD, Human Environmental Sciences, Emphasis in Human Development and Family Science, Graduate Certificate in Quantitative Research, University of Missouri, 2024
MS, Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, 2021
BS, Family Studies and Human Development, (with Honors and Summa Cum Laude), University of Arizona, 2019

Biography

Rivero’s current research identifies how family members can influence and shape Latina young women’s body image perceptions and development. She also explores the unique role cultural values play in shaping family interactions and relationships, specifically focusing on parent-adolescent and sibling dynamics. Her work aims to promote the well-being of Latino youth and families. Currently, she serves as the co-chair of the Latino(a) Research Focus Group for the National Council on Family Relations and as the Social Media Representative for the Society for Research on Adolescence.

Publications

See CV for complete list.

  1. Boron, D. E., Killoren, S. E., Monk, J. K., Rivero, A., Kanter, J. B., & Proulx, C. M. (2024). Romantic partner communication, familism values, and Latine young adults’ relationship maintenance. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 0(0). Read the full article. 
  2. Rivero, A., Killoren, S. E., & Campione-Barr, N. (2023). Latinas’ internalization of US beauty ideals as a moderator of the relations between appearance-related messages from family members and Latinas’ depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 41(4), 846-866. Read the full article. 
  3. Rivero, A., Killoren, S. E., Kline, G., & Campione-Barr, N. (2022). Negative messages from parents and sisters and Latina college students’ body image shame. Body Image, 42, 98-109. Read the full article. 
  4. Ogan, M. A., Monk, J. K., Killoren, S. E., Rivero, A., Colaner, C., & Carlos Chavez, F. L. (2022). The effects of discrimination and psychological distress on U.S. Latino/a young adults’ relational uncertainty and relationship instability. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Advance online publication. Read the full article. 
  5. Killoren, S. E., Roos, J., Bordere, T., Randall, A. K., Rivero, A., Alfaro, E. C., Campione-Barr, N., & Jones, S. K. (2022). Perceived discrimination and Latina college students’ depressive symptoms: The roles of dyadic coping with sisters and familism values. Family Process. Read the full article. 
  6. Killoren, S. E., Monk, J. K., Rivero, A., Quinn, D. & Kline, G. C. (2021). Romantic partners’ weight criticism and Latina/o young adults’ relationship instability. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(2), 264-284. Read the full article. 
Presentations

See CV for complete list.

  1. Rivero, A. & Killoren, S. E., Campione-Barr, N., & Bámaca, M. (2024, November). A longitudinal study examining parental behaviors, adolescent routine disclosure and Mexican-origin adolescent girls’ anxiety, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem. National Council on Family Relations, Bellevue, WA.
  2. Rivero, A. & Killoren, S. E. (2023, November). Negative eating and weight messages from parents and Latina college students’ body image shame: Can sibling dyadic coping protect Latinas? National Council on Family Relations, Orlando, FL.
  3. Rivero, A. & Killoren, S. E. (2023, October). The indirect effect of body image on acculturative stress and depressive symptoms in Latinx young adults. National Latinx Psychological Association, Chicago.
  4. Rivero, A., Kline, G. C., & Killoren, S. E. (2022, November). Moderating role of familism on associations between parental warmth and psychological control and Latinas’ self-kindness and judgement. National Council on Family Relations, Minneapolis.

Books

Killoren, S. E., Rivero, A., & Bámaca, M. (2025). "Familism values and disclosure among Latinx youth." In J. Smetana, N. Campione-Barr, & L. Tilton-Weaver (Eds.). Handbook of Parental Monitoring and Adolescent Information Management. Cambridge University Press.

Awards

2024 College of Education & Human Development Graduate Student Outstanding Research & Scholarship, University of Missouri

Recent News

"FSOS welcomes two new faculty members," Family Social Science News