Little is known about the specific behavioral health impact of acculturation stressors that affect Hispanic/Latino immigrant sub-groups. These immigration-related stressors and traumatic events may have differential impact on depression depending on country/region of origin. Using a measure of immigration and acculturation stress, the current study sought to determine differences in the impact of stress on six sub-groups of Hispanic immigrants. Data on stress and depression were examined using a large, representative adult immigrant sample (N = 641). Controlling for age, gender and years in the US, factorial analysis of covariance revealed significant differences on total Hispanic Stress Inventory 2 (HSI2) stress appraisal scores based on country/region of origin. Pair wise comparisons between country/region of origin groups revealed that Mexicans had higher levels of stress compared to Cuban or Dominican immigrants. Several patterns of differential stress were also found within sub-domains of the HSI2. Using regression models, HSI2 stress appraisals and their interaction with country of origin proved to not be significant predictors of depression (PHQ9), while gender and age were significant. Differences in HSI2 stress that are based on nativity may be moderated by cultural resilience that ultimately serves a protective role to prevent the onset of depression. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Acculturation stress Latinos Depression Hispanics

depression health disparity Health Status Disparities mental health human epidemiology middle aged Ethnic Groups Stress, Psychological mental stress ethnic group language ethnology Hispanic Americans Cross-Sectional Studies United States Young Adult cross-sectional study migrant racism Hispanic Adolescent psychology male Emigrants and Immigrants Humans Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female socioeconomics cultural factor adult age sex factor Sex Factors Age Factors