Stress and Resilience: Key Correlates of Mental Health and Substance Use in the Hispanic Community Health Study of Latino Youth

Abstract

This study examined associations of immigrant generation, acculturation, and sources of stress and resilience with four outcomes-depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, alcohol susceptibility, and smoking susceptibility. We used data from 1466 youth (ages 8-16) enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth), a probability sample of Hispanic/Latino youth living in Chicago (IL), Miami (FL), Bronx (NY), and San Diego (CA). We found no evidence of an immigrant paradox. Greater children's acculturative stress was associated with depression/anxiety symptoms; greater parent's acculturative stress was associated with smoking susceptibility. Family functioning and children's ethnic identity were associated with fewer depression/anxiety symptoms and lower alcohol/smoking susceptibility. Although acculturation-related stressors increase youths' risks for poor mental health and substance use, the development of positive ethnic identities and close, well-functioning family support systems can help protect Latino/Hispanic children from the negative behavioral and health-related consequences of stress.

Family function and eating behaviours among Hispanic/Latino youth: results from the Hispanic Community Children’s Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth)

“…Following the Healthy Eating Index 2010, empty energies (expressed as percentage of total energies) were defined as energies from solid fats, added sugars and alcohol beyond moderate amounts) (55,56) . Alcohol was kept in the definition of empty energies because it could be a potential contributor, as 19 % of SOL youth reported that they had ever used alcohol and 6 % had used alcohol in the past 30 d (57) .…”

Association between experience of racial discrimination and hazardous alcohol use among Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…It was also unclear exactly how discrimination impacts alcohol use behaviour. Evidence suggests that experiences of discrimination may influence the formation of maladaptive behaviours . The NZHS data set, however, does not contain data on use of alcohol as a coping strategy.…”

Mothers’ Narratives on their Immigration Experiences: Associations with Maternal Relatedness and Adolescent Adjustment

“…Most research has focused on recent immigrants and examined acculturative stress during the first several years after immigration. Yet, studies indicate acculturative stress continues to be experienced not only by first‐generation immigrants, but also by the second and third generations (Perreira et al, 2019), and it can affect well‐being more than a decade after immigration (Leidy, Parke, Cladis, Coltrane, & Duffy, 2009; Titzmann et al, 2014).…”

“…Yet, they and their families face unique challenges, which may put some at risk of socioemotional difficulties and poor academic achievement (Marks, Ejesi, & Coll, 2014). Furthermore, although some research points to an ‘immigration paradox’ whereby first‐generation immigrant adolescents show better adjustment than their nonimmigrant peers (Marks et al, 2014), other studies have failed to support this notion (e.g., Crosnoe & Fuligni, 2012; Perreira et al, 2019). Therefore, identifying factors and processes that impede or promote the adjustment of adolescents in immigrant families is important.…”