Acculturation and Socioeconomic Factors as Determinants of Depression Among Puerto Ricans in the United States

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between degree of acculturation and depression among Puerto Ricans in the United States, controlling for other personal and socio-economic variables. The data analyzed came from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), 198284. For this study a sample of 1,519 of Puerto Ricans 20 years old or older was analyzed using regression (OLS) procedures. The findings of this study did not confirm the assumption that the higher the degree of acculturation among Puerto Ricans the higher the degree of social behavioral adjustment. Rather the data showed that socioeconomic variables such as poverty status and unemployment have a much stronger impact on depression symptoms than acculturation.

Barriers to Community Mental Health Services for Latinos: Treatment Considerations

“…In fact, much of the research on the relationship between socioeconomic status and mental health in Latinos reveals poor socioeconomic conditions to be linked to depression (e.g., Canabal & Quiles, 1995;Cuellar & Roberts, 1997). Hence, socioeconomic risk factors are of particular concern for Latinos because many of them migrate to environments that are economically and psychologically challenging (Belitz & Valdez, 1997).…”

“…For instance, Latinos with mental illness may develop an increasing dependency on others (e.g., family members) and experience the worsening of symptoms over time. Also, when Latino families are very cohesive and share much concern for each other, the emotional commitments of being a family member can yield additional stress for the individual experiencing mental health problems (Canabal & Quiles, 1995). Additionally, Latinos whose families are not cohesive may experience stress because their family system is inconsistent with their ideal, well-integrated family system .…”

“…Various socioeconomic and cultural factors place Latinos at risk for developing mental health problems, and research suggests that many Latinos may be in need of receiving mental health services (e.g., Canabal & Quiles, 1995;Padilla, Ruiz, & Alvarez, 1975;Rogler, Cortes, & Malgady, 1991). Substantial research also indicates that Latinos underutilize mental health services (e.g., Alvidrez, 1999;Bui & Takeuchi, 1992;Flaskerud & Hu, 1992;Sue, 1977;Sue, Fujino, Hu, Takeuchi, & Zane, 1991;Vega, Kolody, Aguilar-Gaxiola, & Catalano, 1999;Wells, Klap, Koike, & Sherbourne, 2001).…”

Predictors of depression among non-Hispanic Whites, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans: A look at race/ethnicity as a reflection of social relations

“…Other researchers have suggested that factors such as gender and socioeconomic status significantly influence mental health symptoms more than acculturation alone. Assimilated Mexican Americans reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression compared to their more traditional counterparts (Cuellar & Roberts, 1997;Canabal & Quiles, 1995). It must be noted that these findings are based on a proxy measure of acculturation (e.g., length of stay in U.S. and place of birth).…”

“…Cuellar & Roberts (1997) reported that acculturation did not lessen the increased risk for depression, but economic status associated with ethnicity was found to directly affect depression scores. Similarly, Canabal & Quiles (1995) found that socioeconomic variables such as poverty status and unemployment have a much stronger impact than acculturation on depression symptoms.…”