Citation

Verdaguer S, Ramya R, Hernandez M, Florez KR. Health Equity 2023; 7(1): 197-205.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/heq.2022.0137

PMID

36974196

PMCID

PMC10039280

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the association between acculturative stress and psychological distress among Mexican immigrants living in New York City. It takes account factors such as language barriers, legal status, fear of deportation, and avoidance of social health and human services, and how these factors are implicated in the mental health status of the study population.

DESIGN: Study draws from a community-based sample of Mexican American adults from the Social Network of Mexican Americans study recruited from a church-based community center in the Bronx, New York. Eighty Mexican immigrants were included in this analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to display participants' characteristics. Pearson correlation and multiple regressions were run to determine the relationship between acculturative stress and psychological distress, and also with each of the items from the acculturative stress scale. Both scales have been validated among Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants.

RESULTS: A significant moderate positive relationship was found between acculturative stress and psychological distress. Within the acculturative stress scale, those items related to language discrimination, evasion of health services, and feeling guilty for leaving family/friends in home country had significant associations with increased psychological distress.

CONCLUSION: The findings support the need for interventions that account for the major stressors associated with being a Mexican immigrant in the United States to prevent psychological distress, especially given the anti-immigration policies.

Language: en

Keywords

psychological distress; acculturative stress; Mexican immigrants