Social support and strain and emotional distress among Latinos in the northeastern United States

Abstract

Background US Latinos report high levels of emotional distress. Having positive familial and friend social support buffers emotional distress among US Latinos, but thus far no research has been done on social support and ataque de nervios in that population, or on social strain and emotional distress. Methods This paper assesses social support and strain across three relationship types (partner, family, and friends) with three measures of emotional distress (depression, anxiety, and ataque de nervios). The sample for partner, family, and friend support included 508 Latino adults 21 and older. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association of social support and strain with each outcome. Results As all social support types increased, the odds of emotional distress symptoms decreased. Conversely, as each unit of partner and family strain increased, the odds of emotional distress symptoms increased. Increased friend strain was associated with greater odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms only. Conclusion Social support in all three network types (partner, family, and friend) was associated with a decrease in the odds of emotional distress, assessed as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ataque de nervios.

Effects of COVID-19, Discrimination, and Social Support on Latinx Adult Mental Health

“…Considering that 40% of Latinx individuals reported in a 2018 study that they had experienced discrimination during the past year [ 107 ], concerns related to the effects of discrimination on mental health are profound. Results also indicate that social support was significantly and inversely related to both posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, which is also reflective of previous literature with Latinx adults [ 74 , 75 ]. This current finding is notable since data were specifically evaluating the role of social support during not only an exclusionary policy context but also the pandemic, which placed limitations on traditional forms of engagement.…”

Social Support and Strain from Different Relationship Sources: Their Additive and Buffering Effects on Psychological Well-Being in Adulthood

“…Empirical research over the past decades has documented the beneficial effects of positive social exchanges on individuals’ improved psychological well-being and enhanced health benefits (Antonucci et al, 2009; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010; Saphire-Bernstein & Taylor, 2013). Close and supportive relationships have been positively associated with better health, lower mortality, and greater life satisfaction (Berkman & Syme, 1979; Cohen, 2004; Walen & Lachman, 2000), whereas social strain has been linked to psychological and health related costs such as loneliness, depressive symptoms, emotional distress, and health problems (Chen & Feeley, 2014; Lerman Ginzburg et al, 2021; Sherman et al, 2011; Yang et al, 2014).…”

Chronic Diseases and Associated Risk Factors Among Adults in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

“… 47 Optimism, social support, and social ties are strong among Puerto Rican adults and have been shown to have a protective association against psychological distress in the face of stressful life events. 29 , 33 , 48 Sustained high-quality mental health care, breaking cultural barriers for seeking support, and continued compassionate and culturally relevant communal support may strengthen coping and resiliency among disaster survivors. 49 , 50 These strategies are essential, given that nearly one-third of adults exhibited depressive symptoms in 2019.…”

“…Among survivors of major bushfires, depression risk was higher for individuals with fewer social connections, connected to other people with depression, or connected to people who had left their community . Optimism, social support, and social ties are strong among Puerto Rican adults and have been shown to have a protective association against psychological distress in the face of stressful life events . Sustained high-quality mental health care, breaking cultural barriers for seeking support, and continued compassionate and culturally relevant communal support may strengthen coping and resiliency among disaster survivors .…”