The negative effects of ethnic discrimination on depression symptoms have led researchers to identify potential risk and protective variables of this relationship. While some studies have focused on individual level factors, little research has explored the role of community-level variables, or the combination of both. The present study of Latinx adults (N = 304) tested a moderated mediation model to examine if alcohol use was a mediator of ethnic discrimination and depression under certain levels of social cohesion. Results found that alcohol use was a mediator between ethnic discrimination and depression symptoms and social cohesion moderated this relationship, such that alcohol use was not significant at higher levels of social cohesion. Implications and future directions are discussed. Public Policy Relevance StatementEthnic discrimination continues to engender poor mental health outcomes among the Latinx community. The present study examined the role of neighborhood-and individual-level factors in contributing to the relationship between ethnic discrimination and depression symptoms. The findings suggest that social cohesion serves a protective function highlighting the importance of community on mental health. This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

Latinx people have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 evidenced by high rates of exposure, hospitalization, and death. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in alcohol use across numerous communities but minimal work, thus far, has examined potential underlying mechanisms among Latinxs. Social determinants of health, such as lack of health insurance, can function as systemic barriers to necessary resources to manage COVID-19 placing individuals at greater risk for negative outcomes. The present study sought to examine the ability of emotional distress and physical health problems to mediate the relationship between COVID-19 exposure and alcohol use, which is conditional on having health insurance. An online survey study of 388 Latinx adults found that emotional distress, but not physical health problems, mediated the relationship between COVID-19 exposure and alcohol use. This indirect effect was stronger among uninsured Latinx participants. These findings highlight the role of social determinants in exacerbating the negative consequences associated with the COVID-19 pandemic for Latinx adults. Public Significance StatementThe present study sought to explore variables that may have explanatory roles between COVID-19 exposure and alcohol use among Latinx people. Results supported that both individual factors (emotional distress) and systemic factors (health insurance status) contribute to how COVID-19 exposure is related to alcohol use among Latinx people.