Changes in sociocultural stressors, protective factors, and mental health for US Latina mothers in a shifting political climate

Abstract

Background To investigate changes in sociocultural stressors and protective factors, and mental health in Latina mothers before and after the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Methods We examined changes in sociocultural stressors, protective factors, and mental health from two prospective cohorts of Latina mothers from interior and border US cities (Nashville, TN, n = 39 and San Diego, CA, ns range = 78–83; 2013–2020). Results We identified significant longitudinal increases in depression, anxiety, and perceived stress in the border city, and reductions in protective factors (e.g., optimism, social support, and familism) across sites. Discrimination varied by location, and was associated with higher stress only at baseline in the border city, and with higher anxiety in the interior city at follow-up. Acculturative stress was consistently associated with worse mental health across time points in the border city. Various protective factors were associated with reduced stress and anxiety across time points in both cities. Discussion We identified decreased mental health at the border city, and reduced protective factors in Latina mothers across both study sites in the years following the 2016 presidential nomination, during a time of shifting sociopolitical climate. We also identify increased acculturative stress and discrimination over time, particularly at the border city. Interventions to maintain and enhance psychosocial protective factors amongst Latina mothers are warranted.

Immigration stress and maternal sensitivity in a Mexican immigrant sample: The role of parasympathetic activity and familism value.

“…It is possible that the incorporation of family into one's personal identity may make immigration stress especially impactful, whereas interpersonal values like emotional bonds are less consequential. As found in previous literature (e.g., Non et al, 2022), viewing family as a referent may be a major component of the protective effects of familism. Overall, familism values may afford Mexican immigrant mothers the capacity to adaptively navigate and overcome immigration stress.…”

“…Generally, familism has been linked to positive psychological outcomes for Latina mothers (Ayo ´n et al, 2010;Barnett et al, 2013) and may weaken links between immigration stress and a range of adjustment outcomes (Gil et al, 2000). For example, in a sample of Latina women, viewing family as a referent specifically was linked to decreased anxiety (Non et al, 2022). Moreover, familism values may support more adaptive physiological functioning in Latino populations by increasing one's ability to cope positively and manage stress (Campos et al, 2018;Chiang et al, 2019).…”

“…The associations between greater immigration stress and lower maternal RSA were also expected to be weaker at higher levels of familism. Additionally, given that specific components of familism have been differentially linked to outcomes in Latina women (e.g., Non et al, 2022), we explored the familism components. However, due to limited findings in previous work, we did not have specific hypotheses about associations.…”