Discrimination-Based Acculturative Stress, Depression, and Alcohol Use among Latina Emerging Adults During Initial Months in the USA.

Abstract

The present study examined the links between discrimination-based acculturative stress (DAS), depressive symptoms, and alcohol use among recently immigrated Latina young adults and explored potential within-group Latina ethnic differences. Structural equation modeling was used to assess these relations among 530 Latina young adults (age 18-23) who had immigrated to the U.S. within approximately 12 months prior to assessment. Women reporting more DAS indicated more depressive symptoms and alcohol use than counterparts reporting less DAS. Women reporting more time in the U.S. experienced higher levels of DAS. Undocumented participants, and those who had lived in the U.S. for less time, reported more depressive symptoms than their peers. Findings highlight the need for mental health clinicians to attend to their local sociopolitical climate context for discriminatory practices and integrate cultural factors in mental health and alcohol use interventions targeting Latina young adults who recently immigrated to the U.S.