Acculturation, discrimination, and depression among unauthorized Latinos/as in the United States.

2016/07/18 by Cory L. Cobb, Dong Xie, Alan Meca +1 · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Racial and Ethnic Identity Research #Cultural Competency in Health Care #International Student and Expatriate Challenges #Acculturation #Ethnic group #PsycINFO #Psychology #Psychosocial #Multiculturalism #Clinical psychology #Immigration #Psychiatry #MEDLINE #Sociology

paper · doi:10.1037/cdp0000118

openalex publication_date 2016/07/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In the present study we sought to examine psychosocial factors among undocumented Latinos/as acculturating to and residing in the United States. METHOD: A community sample of 122 self-reported undocumented Latino/a immigrants was asked to complete questionnaires measuring components of acculturation (i.e., national and ethnic identity, U.S. heritage-cultural knowledge, English and Spanish competency), everyday discrimination (ED), and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Results indicated that, among acculturation dimensions, only ethnic identity was significantly related to increased ED whereas ED was associated with increased depression. Moreover, experiences of ED mediated the relationship between ethnic identity and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Results may indicate ethnic identity as a risk factor for this group through experiences of discrimination. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in terms of advancing theory and from a multicultural counseling perspective, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record

Citations

• The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior
• Rethinking the concept of acculturation: Implications for theory and research.
• Immigration, Acculturation, and Adaptation
• Prevalence of Mental Illness in Immigrant and Non-Immigrant U.S. Latino Groups
• Conceptualization and measurement of ethnic identity: Current status and future directions.
• Legitimacy, Social Identity, and the Mobilization of Law: The Effects of Assembly Bill 540 on Undocumented Students in California
• Perceived discrimination experiences and mental health of Latina/o american persons.
• Ethnic identity and personal well-being of people of color: A meta-analysis.
• Racial Differences in Physical and Mental Health
• The role of racial identity in perceived racial discrimination.

Cited by

• Acculturation [wikipedia]

Related

• Perceived discrimination experiences and mental health of Latina/o american persons.
• Everyday Discrimination and Mental Health: Comparisons Between Latino/a Immigrants and White U.S. Residents
• Application of the Minority Stress Theory: Understanding the Mental Health of Undocumented Latinx Immigrants
• Acculturation and the Lifetime Risk of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders among Hispanics
• Depression and Anxiety Among First-Generation Immigrant Latino Youth