Life experiences of hispanic adolescents: developmental and language considerations in acculturation stress

Abstract

Hispanic youth currently constitute the largest and fastest growing of all ethnic and racial groups in the United States. In addition to normal developmental life stressors, Hispanic youth also face minority status and acculturation‐related stress. This study examined the psychosocial and acculturative stressors of Hispanic youth (n=170) residing in the northeast and southwest United States through the use of focus group methodology. Findings are presented within a developmental perspective and suggest that Hispanic youth experience stressors broadly categorized across 6 domains, namely: (a) immigration, (b) communication and language, (c) school and academic, (d) peer, (e) family, and (f) social and economic. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Relationship of Coping Responses and Anxiety Symptoms in Hispanic Youth

“…Acculturative stress stems from challenges that individuals from Hispanic or other ethnic minority backgrounds face when attempting to adapt to lifestyles in the United States or dominant culture [6]. Some of the experiences Hispanic youth may struggle to adapt to include immigration, new language, new schools and academic system, peers, family, and social and economic factors [7]. Although studies have provided valuable data on the experiences of the growing Hispanic youth minority in the United States and their relationship to anxiety, the literature does not address the manner in which this population copes with acculturative stress.…”

Supporting Adolescent Daughters as They Come of Age: Latina Mothers’ Reflections and Recommendations

“…Census Bureau 2012). Along with economic disadvantage, political underrepresentation, and discrimination that continue to put the well-being of Latino youth at risk (Cervantes and Cordova 2011), adolescent Latina girls, in particular, face unique challenges within their communities (Kaplan et al 2007;Kaplan and Cole 2003;Lee and Hahm 2010;Turner et al 2002). With youth advocates working to develop ways to augment conventional risk prevention strategies, the dynamic and exciting transition to womanhood as girls ''come of age'' offers a unique window of opportunity to forge a fulfilling connection between individual and community in the lives of Latina adolescents (Okwumabua 1996;Shin and Hecht 2013).…”

Self-harm Among Hispanic Adolescents: Investigating the Role of Culture-Related Stressors

“…More recent studies have also explored the impact of immigration-related, acculturation-related, and discrimination-related stressors on mental health outcomes. 15,16,17,18,19 The social environment that Latino adolescents grow up in may also contribute to suicidality. A number of studies have found that Latino adolescents are the target of anti-immigrant and anti-Latino attitudes and negative public references toward their ethnic identity.…”

“…A number of studies have found that Latino adolescents are the target of anti-immigrant and anti-Latino attitudes and negative public references toward their ethnic identity. 1,15 The literature details descriptions of the often traumatic immigration processes which could include life-threatening circumstances and being forced to leave family members behind in their country of origin 20 with possible impacts on suicidal behavior. 21 Mena, Santisteban, Mason and Mitrani 22 found that parent-child separations resulting from immigration have been linked to depression, particularly in Latinas.…”