Limited English proficiency and psychological distress among Latinos and Asian Americans

Abstract

English proficiency is increasingly recognized as an important factor that is related to the mental health of immigrants and ethnic minorities. However, few studies have examined how the association between English proficiency and mental health operates and whether the pattern of association is similar or different among various ethnic minority groups. This paper investigates how limited English proficiency directly and indirectly affects psychological distress through pathways of discrimination for both Latinos and Asian Americans in the United States. Findings suggest that, for Asian Americans, limited English proficiency has an independent relationship with psychological distress over and above demographic variables, socioeconomic and immigration-related factors and discrimination. For Latinos, however, socio-demographic variables and discrimination show a stronger association than limited English proficiency in affecting psychological distress. Different forms of discrimination – everyday discrimination and racial/ethnic discrimination – are equally important for both ethnic groups. Findings underscore the differential role of limited English proficiency for the mental health of Asian Americans and Latinos and suggest the distinctive racial experiences and backgrounds of these two ethnic groups.

Mental Health and Sociocultural Determinants in an Asian Indian Community

“…If this is not done, we can easily underestimate mental and social challenges that may be experienced by subgroups that are less connected to the US culture. 16,38 In addition to the language findings, our study parallels the findings of others highlighting the interplay between sociocultural factors and mental health, among AIs in the United States and abroad. 3,8,9,16,38–40 Similar trends as those previously published were clearly evident in this study, thus lending credence to a unique experience of mental health and acculturation for AI immigrant groups in the United States.…”

Risky behaviors and educational attainment among young Mexican-origin mothers: The role of acculturative stress and the educational aspiration–expectation gap

“…It is possible that stress resulting from Spanish competency pressures may not pose an overt risk for young mothers’ educational self-concept as pressures to retain their heritage language (i.e., Spanish) may not pose a burden on their academic-related adjustment in an English speaking country such as the U.S. Instead, it is possible that Spanish competency pressures may be a relevant stressor for other factors related to the heritage culture (e.g., mental health, family or community support, closeness of relationships; Schwartz et al, 2007; Zhang, Hong, Takeuchi, & Mossakowski, 2012). It will be useful for future work to examine if this finding replicates with other samples.…”

“…Likewise, Spanish competency pressures (i.e., enculturative pressures) may also negatively impact youths’ aspired or realistic educational goals for themselves, as prior research suggests that maintaining Spanish during the process of acculturation is important for promoting Latinos’ mental health (Kam, 2011; Zhang, Hong, Takeuchi, & Mossakowski, 2012). Researchers pose that maintaining Spanish language use may signify closer relationships and greater support from individuals’ families or cultural community members.…”

Duration of U.S. stay and body mass index among Latino and Asian immigrants: A test of theoretical pathways

“…Language may affect BMI through its association with mental health. Among both Latinos and Asians, English proficiency has been associated with increased psychological distress (Zhang et al, 2012); poorer mental health, in turn, has been associated with increased BMI (Rosmond et al, 1996).…”