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

Abstract

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. Two hundred and twenty-four low-income, Latinx 9th graders (Mage = 14.5) attending three high schools in the Northeastern United States were surveyed. 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. 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. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).