This study investigated the expression of depressive symptoms in adolescents who are of Afro-Latino descent. Levels of expression of depressive symptoms were compared for four groups of adolescents in Grades 7 through 12 residing in the United States: European Americans, African Americans, Latinos, and Afro-Latinos. One hypothesis is that Afro-Latinos should exhibit higher levels of depressive symptoms than either African Americans or Latinos by virtue of being double minorities. An alternative hypothesis is that Afro-Latino youth will show lower levels of depressive symptomology because of their access to a broader repertoire of cultural resources when faced with stress and depression-inducing events. Results indicated that Afro-Latino females tended to exhibit higher levels of depressive symptoms than those of the other ethnic groups. Across all ethnic groups, adolescent females tended to show higher levels of depressive symptoms than adolescent males and older adolescents tended to show higher levels of depression than younger adolescents.

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This study explored the stress process in a sample of Puerto Ricans (N = 68) caring for older relatives and examined the caregiver role in light of ethnocultural variables. Focus groups were conducted in Spanish in community settings. Six broad, open-ended questions asked about (a) caregiving stressors, (b) appraisal of these stressors, and (c) coping. Participants were primarily women of low socioeconomic status and acculturation. Ethnocultural factors appeared to shape the qualitative nature of the stress process. The practice of traditional familism norms of filial responsibility appeared to be especially challenging, given the multiple stressors associated with ethnic minority status. The role of the family as a support system was not clear. Fatalism and religion appeared to greatly influence appraisal and coping. Catholic and Pentecostal differences were noted in attitudes about stressors and coping strategies. Suggestions for applying findings to practice are presented. Implications for research and policy are discussed.

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