Cultural Diversity and Mental Health
Volume 4, Issue 2, 1998, Pages 115-125

Psychosocial adjustment among Central American immigrants with disabilities: An exploratory study (Review)

Jarama S.L. , Reyst H. , Rodriguez M. , Belgrave F.Z. , Zea M.C.*
  • a Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
  • b Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
  • c Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
  • d Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
  • e Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States

Abstract

This is an exploratory study that investigated factors influencing the psychosocial adjustment of Central American immigrants with disabilities. The relationships between stress, and perception of disability severity and (a) depression and (b) anxiety were assessed. Furthermore, this study investigated whether social support moderated the impact of stress and severity of disability on depression and anxiety. Stress, severity of disability, and social support explained a high percentage (54%) of the variance in depression. High levels of stress, increased perceptions of severity of disability, and low social support were associated with increased depression. The interactions between support and stress and between support and disability severity did not significantly add to the original model which predicted depression. Main effects were found for stress, disability severity, and the interaction between support and disability severity. Stress and social support significantly accounted for 31% of the variance in anxiety. Increased stress and decreased social support were associated with greater levels of anxiety. The interaction between support and stress did not significantly predict anxiety. Implications of the study in terms of future research and intervention programs targeting mental health outcomes for Latino immigrants with disabilities are discussed.

Author Keywords

Latino immigrants Stress Social support Severity of disability

Index Keywords

anxiety male ethnic group female major clinical study depression immigrant stress Review disability social support Central America Aged disease severity social adaptation human adult
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0031900343&doi=10.1037%2f1099-9809.4.2.115&partnerID=40&md5=df18acf8810c1410a0726e569d7f21d3
DOI: 10.1037/1099-9809.4.2.115
ISSN: 1077341X
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English