Spanish Speakers in the United States Report Differing Levels of Weather Salience Based on Their Ethnocultural Background

Abstract

Abstract Weather profoundly shapes our daily lives, yet its psychological impact varies distinctly among different cultural and ethnic groups. In a comprehensive analysis of 974 Spanish-speaking individuals in the United States, our research delves into three dimensions of weather salience—a measure of the psychological importance attributed to weather. Contrary to expectations, geographic location within the United States does not significantly influence weather salience dimensions among Spanish-speaking populations. Rather, differences in weather salience emerge based on the nativity and origin country of a Spanish speaker. Foreign-born Spanish speakers exhibit higher weather salience compared to their U.S.-born counterparts, with notable differences in daily attention to weather and severe weather events. Additionally, the degree of psychological attunement to weather distinctly varies among different Hispanic and Latino ethnic groups within Spanish-speaking communities. These findings help explain why weather salience may be lower among Spanish-speaking groups and highlight the variability across different cultural groups. Tailoring messages to the unique experiences and backgrounds of diverse Spanish-speaking communities is essential, moving beyond simple language translation to embrace the rich cultural tapestry of these groups. Significance Statement Our research explored how different Spanish-speaking groups in the United States conceptualize weather in their daily lives. Surprisingly, where they live in the United States does not change their views much. Instead, whether they were born in the United States or elsewhere, and their specific cultural background, really matters. People born outside the United States generally apply more significance to the weather and its changes. This shows us that when communicating about weather to these groups, it is important to understand and respect the diverse cultures of Spanish-speaking communities, going beyond just translating messages into Spanish.