Cumulative lifetime adversity and depression among a national sample of U.S. Latinx immigrants: Within-group differences in risk and protective factors using data from the HCHS/SOL sociocultural ancillary study.

Abstract

Latinx immigrants are exposed to multiple stressors before, during, and after migration. However, most past research has assumed the effects of these stressors are uniform across Latinx groups despite considerable within-group variation. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess the moderating effects of several risk and protective factors on the association between cumulative lifetime adversity and depression among U.S. Latinx immigrants and (b) examine the extent to which risk and protective processes differed between Latinx subgroups. Data came from a cross-sectional secondary dataset, called the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study. The sample (N = 2,893) was identified using stratified random probability sampling in four of the largest Latinx metropolitan areas: the Bronx, New York; San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Miami, Florida. We included four Latinx subgroups in our study: Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Mexicans, and Dominicans. Results from multigroup regression analyses suggested that social support moderated the association between cumulative lifetime adversity and depression. However, further subgroup analyses showed the moderation effect was only present for Cuban and Dominican immigrants. We also found that perceived discrimination moderated the association between lifetime adversity and depression for Cuban immigrants and ethnic identity moderated the relationship between lifetime adversity and depression for Dominican immigrants. Our results provide preliminary evidence for the presence of within-group differences in responses to adverse events among Latinx immigrant groups. Results can be used to inform the development of mental health interventions tailored to the specific needs of various Latinx immigrant populations.

Puerto Ricans and Mexican immigrants differ in their psychological responses to patterns of lifetime adversity

“…A study using the same dataset as in the current study, found differences in exposure to risk factors as well as differences in participants' responses to the risk factors between four Latinx ethnic groups born outside the continental U.S. (i.e., Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Dominicans) [36].…”

“…Authors [36] reported significant differences in marital status, household income level, language preference, age, gender, and years lived in the continental U.S. They also found that certain risk factors were associated with mental health for some Latinx ethnic groups, but not for others.…”

“…Specifically, discrimination was associated with mental health for Mexican immigrants, but not for Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Dominican immigrants. The present study aimed to build on Authors' [36] study using a person-centered approach to determine whether unique combinations of lifetime adversity were associated with distinct mental health outcomes for Latinxs born outside the continental U.S. Specifically, our goal was to conduct a detailed comparison of two Latinx groups to assess whether differences in exposure patterns to lifetime adversity influenced individuals' responses to adversities within these two groups.…”

“…Few studies have conducted direct comparisons between Puerto Ricans and Mexicans born outside the continental U.S., nonetheless, past research comparing Latinx groups more broadly suggests that differences may exist. For example, several studies have suggested that Puerto Ricans have the highest rates of unemployment and one of the highest rates of divorce as compared to other Latinx groups [38,36]. Puerto Ricans may also report one of the highest levels of discrimination [36,40].…”

“…For example, several studies have suggested that Puerto Ricans have the highest rates of unemployment and one of the highest rates of divorce as compared to other Latinx groups [38,36]. Puerto Ricans may also report one of the highest levels of discrimination [36,40]. On the other hand, Mexican immigrants report higher rates of acculturation stress compared to other Latinx subgroups [41].…”