Latinx adolescents facing multiple stressors and the protective role of familismo.

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we cumulatively examined how a number of cultural and general stressors as well as familismo differentially related to Latinx adolescents' psychological well-being as measured by depressive symptoms, anxiety, and future orientation. In addition, we examined whether familismo buffered Latinx adolescents from the negative psychological outcomes associated with both cultural and general stressors. Method: Two hundred and twenty-four low-income, Latinx 9th graders (M age = 14.5) attending three high schools in the Northeastern United States were surveyed. Results: Findings demonstrated that family-based cultural stressors were associated with increased depressive symptoms whereas familismo was associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Language conflicts and racial discrimination were also positively associated with anxiety. However, when both cultural and general stressors were accounted for, only greater material need was associated with increased depressive symptoms and a less positive future orientation. Moreover, familismo protected adolescents from depressive symptoms linked to material hardship. Conclusions: Cultural stressors may be less distressing to Latinx adolescents than more general stressors, like financial hardship, and familismo helps buffer the stress of material hardship. Public Significance StatementLatinx adolescents face a variety of stressors that may be detrimental to their psychological well-being. In this study, we found that different types of stressors negatively impacted Latinx adolescents' psychological well-being and familismo, prioritizing family unity and closeness, assisted adolescents in managing these stressors.

The role of familism in food insecurity, role overload, and depressive symptoms among Latinx youth.

“…The presence of economic hardship in a Latinx adolescent’s life can increase exposure to other stressors and, in-turn, poorer psychological outcomes (Montoro & Ceballo, 2021). In the present study, this concept was demonstrated by the interaction of food insecurity and role overload and its relationship to the experience of depressive symptoms among Latinx adolescents.…”

Moral Injury as a Transdiagnostic Risk Factor for Mental Health Problems in Detained Youth

“…Winkelman et al (2017) suggest a possible explanation for these differences—that socioeconomic disadvantage, rather than mental health problems, may be the dominant driver of justice involvement for BIPOC youth. Alternatively, cultural values such as familismo (an important value in some Latinx cultures) may increase resilience and buffer the mental health effects of external stressors for some BIPOC youth (Montoro & Ceballo, 2021). Another possibility is that BIPOC youth may feel less comfortable disclosing sensitive experiences in research settings due to concerns about confidentiality or discrimination (Johnson & Richter, 2004; Kerig et al, in press).…”

Indirect associations between immigration-related stressors and latine adolescents’ depressive symptoms: The moderating roles of familism, nativity, and gender.

“…Moreover, familism values are generally directly associated with positive adaptation among Latine youth (Cahill et al, 2021; Stein et al, 2014). Latine youth with strong familism values report more positive parent–adolescent relationships (Delgado et al, 2011; Lorenzo-Blanco et al, 2012; Taylor et al, 2012), lower levels of family conflict (Smokowski et al, 2010), and lower levels of depressive symptoms (Dixon De Silva et al, 2020; Montoro & Ceballo, 2021; Piña-Watson et al, 2019).…”

“…Beyond the direct effects of familism values on family relationships and adolescent well-being, familism values may also moderate the effects of family conflict. Indeed, some research indicates that familism values protect against youth depressive symptoms in the context of family stress (e.g., Montoro & Ceballo, 2021; Piña-Watson et al, 2019). However, other studies have found no evidence of a moderating effect (Ayón et al, 2010; Delgado et al, 2011; Hurwich-Reiss & Gudiño, 2016; Stein et al, 2015; Umaña-Taylor et al, 2011), and a few studies indicate that strong familism values might have deleterious effects in some instances (Hernández et al, 2010; Kuhlberg et al, 2010).…”