Adult attachment, acculturation, acculturative stress, and psychological distress of first-generation latinx immigrants

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the unique and joint influences of adult attachment insecurity, acculturation, and acculturative stress on first-generation Latinx immigrants’ psychological outcome. Guided by adult attachment and acculturation theory, a conceptual model was developed to depict the mediational relations among the variables of interest. A sample of 148 first-generation Latinx or Hispanic immigrants completed the research questionnaires. The findings from path analysis indicated that first-generation immigrants with high adult attachment insecurity were likely to have a lower acculturation level, which in turn, was associated with more acculturative stress and greater psychological distress. In addition to the indirect effects through acculturation and acculturative stress, the final model suggested that attachment avoidance had a significant direct effect on acculturative stress while attachment anxiety had a direct effect on psychological distress. Counseling implications of this study’s findings include the importance of assessing first-generation immigrant Latinx clients’ adult attachment styles and acculturation experiences, as well as developing prevention, self-care, and stress coping strategies to increase their intercultural competencies.