Discrimination and Latino Health: A Systematic Review of Risk and Resilience

Abstract

Introduction: As anti-immigrant hostility toward Latino populations grows, more fervent attention is needed to consider strength-based approaches to attenuate the effects of perceived discrimination. This systematic review synthesizes the evidence about the effects of racial/ethnic discrimination on mental, physical, and health behaviors of Latinos and examines the coping mechanisms and cultural factors that attenuate the negative association between discrimination and health among adult Latinos living in the United States. Method: The search criteria included articles that (a) examined ethnic/racial discrimination in relationship to a health outcome, (b) had study samples composed of least 25% Latino adults, and (c) were written in English. Results: A total of 33 studies were included in the review. Our findings demonstrated the negative relationship between perceived discrimination, mental health, and health behaviors. The evidence for the relationship between perceived discrimination and physical health was less robust. For mental health, greater feeling of ethnic pride and belonging attenuated the negative relationship between perceived discrimination and mental health. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential for building on ethnic identity for addressing mental health and perceived discrimination. Future research directions are outlined to address identified gaps.

Investigating the Associations of Everyday Discrimination and Inflammation in Latina Women: A Pilot Study

“…In addition, in a sample of 150 pregnant Latina women (mean age ¼ 27.6 years), investigators found approximately 44% of participants reported experiencing some form of everyday discrimination in their lifetimes (Santos et al, 2018). A recent systematic review of 33 studies found that perceived discrimination is consistently associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and substance use among Latinos across studies (Andrade et al, 2020). However, research investigating the associations of discrimination with physical health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, in Latinos is limited and mixed (Andrade et al, 2020).…”

“…A recent systematic review of 33 studies found that perceived discrimination is consistently associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and substance use among Latinos across studies (Andrade et al, 2020). However, research investigating the associations of discrimination with physical health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, in Latinos is limited and mixed (Andrade et al, 2020).…”

Ethnic discrimination, social cohesion, and mental health among Latinx adults.

“…Recent years have seen an increase in anti-immigrant attitudes, specifically directed at Latinx groups (Newman et al, 2018), resulting in a need to better understand the negative psychological consequences associated with ethnic discrimination among Latinxs. Consistent evidence has shown a robust relationship between ethnic discrimination and depression with Latinx samples (Andrade et al, 2021). For example, a meta-analysis reported a statistically significant effect size in Latinx studies linking ethnic discrimination with increased depression symptoms (Lee & Ahn, 2012).…”

Latinx identity and intersectional responses to stigma.

“…Although the rejection-identification model of stigma has received mixed support, research has supported this model among Latinx individuals specifically (Armenta & Hunt, 2009). Increasing ethnic identification may help buffer individuals from the aversive impact stigmatization might otherwise have on mental health (Andrade et al, 2020). This has shown to be true in terms of personal discrimination (Mossakowski, 2003; Williams et al, 2014) and group-based discrimination (Osborne et al, 2015).…”