Impact of Immigration-Related Stress and Social Support on Depression Symptoms Among Latina/o Adolescents

• In Event: 1-179 - Parents, Partners, and Peers: Examining the Context of Supportive Relationships for Latina/o Adolescents

Integrative Statement

Latina/o adolescents report higher levels of internalizing symptoms compared to white and African American youth (Kann et al., 2017; Roberts et al., 2006). Moreover, internalizing disorders (depression and anxiety) are among the most common mental health problems in this population (Potochnick et al., 2010). An important contributor to internalizing symptoms among Latino youth is immigration-related stress. Latino adolescents experience stress related to acculturation pressures and their immigrant status. Both perceived discrimination and acculturative stress have been linked to internalizing symptoms, including depression (Sirin et al., 2013; Smokowski et al., 2009). Theory and empirical studies suggest that social support and individual coping resources may moderate these associations (Crockett et al., 2007), mitigating the effects of stressors; however, few studies have examined this issue. In this study, we tested associations between two kinds of immigration-related stressors (community-based threats, and pressure to acculturate) and symptoms of depression; we also examined the buffering effects of social support and two individual coping resources: a youth’s tendencies to appraise events as challenges (rather than threats) and to engage in active coping. We hypothesized that each type of stressor would predict more depression symptoms and that individual coping resources and social support from parents and friends would predict fewer depression systems and buffer the effects of stress. Because gender theory suggests that girls might be more sensitive than boys to social support within close relationships, we explored gender as a moderator of these effects.

Data came from individual interviews with 305 Midwestern Latino adolescents (81% Mexican American; Mage=15.50; 46.2% female) and their parents. Primary caregivers (mostly mothers) completed a measure of threats in the community (i.e., visits by immigration officers, INS/ICE raids, threats of deportation, harmful laws). Adolescents completed measures of acculturative stress, perceived parental and peer support, challenge appraisals, active coping, and symptoms of depression.

Path analysis with observed variables was used to test the hypotheses; gender, age and maternal education were included as controls. Results indicated that higher levels of community threat and acculturative stress predicted higher levels of youth depression (see Figure 1). Furthermore, support from parents and friends as well as tendencies to appraise events as challenges and to engage in active coping predicted less depression. Multiple group models were estimated to examine differences in the model associated with adolescent gender, nativity, and age. Results indicated no overall moderation by gender or nativity, but a significant moderating effect of youth age, which will be further explored. Additionally, specific tests of gender interactions showed that community threats and parental support significantly interacted with youth gender to predict depression symptoms.

These findings highlight the deleterious effects of immigration-related community threats for Latina/o adolescent well-being as well as the beneficial effects of social support and individual coping resources. Contrary to expectations, social support and tendencies to appraise events as challenges showed unique, independent associations with depression symptoms rather than buffering the effects of immigration-related stressors. Discussion will focus on understanding both general and culturally-specific processes contributing to Latino adolescent adjustment.

Authors

• Lisa Crockett, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  Presenting Author

• Cara Streit, University of New Mexico
  Non-Presenting Author