Data from a national Chicano survey with nearly 1000 respondents were examined to test the hypothesis that because of internal (intragroup) and external (intergroup) discrimination, both past and present, Mexican Americans with a European physical appearance will have more enhanced life chances as measured by higher socioeconomic status than Mexican Americans with an indigenous Native American physical appearance. Two variables, skin color and physical features, were combined into a composite variable of observed phenotype. When observed phenotype was correlated with indicators of socioeconomic status, the hypothesis was largely confirmed.

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This paper demonstrates that the relationship between language orientation and mental health varies by level of socioeconomic statuis. Amuong lower status Mexican Americans, whose language orienitation ranged primarily from exclusive Spanish use to the use of both languages equally, greater use of Spanish led to worse miienital health. Amuong higher status Chicanos, whose language orientation ranged primarily from exclusive English use to the use of both languages equally, greater use of English led to worse mental health. The major implication of this study is that Chicanos who incorporate behavioral aspects of American culture to the total exclusion of Mexican culture are less healthy while those who incorporate both cultures simultaneously are psychologically healthier.

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