ERIC Number: EJ833102
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Mar
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1537-4416
EISSN: N/A
Culture, Context, and the Internalizing Distress of Mexican American Youth
Polo, Antonio J.; Lopez, Steven R.
Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, v38 n2 p273-285 Mar 2009
Latino youth appear to be at higher risk for depression relative to youth from other ethnic groups. This study assessed the relationship between nativity and several forms of internalizing distress among Mexican American middle school students as well as sociocultural factors that may help explain this relationship. Immigrant Mexican American youth (n = 78) reported significantly higher social anxiety and loneliness than U.S.-born Mexican American youth (n = 83). Acculturation stress and English proficiency were identified as significant mediators of these nativity differences. Although internalizing problems and depression symptoms did not vary across nativity groups, both were related to lower affiliative obedience. The findings point to cultural socialization values and contextual influences as important variables in the mental health of youth in immigrant families. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Mexican Americans, Depression (Psychology), Immigrants, Anxiety, Psychological Patterns, At Risk Persons, Middle School Students, Early Adolescents, Social Influences, Cultural Influences, Acculturation, Stress Variables, Language Proficiency, English (Second Language), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Socialization, Mental Health, Family Influence, Age Differences, Socioeconomic Status, Gender Differences, Parent Influence, Educational Attainment
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A