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Adverse effects of acculturation: Psychological distress among Mexican American young adults

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  • Kaplan, Mark S.
  • Marks, Gary

Abstract

We examined the relationship between acculturation and psychological distress in young (20-30), middle aged (31-50), and older adult (51-74) Mexican Americans (n = 3084). The data were from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES). Acculturation was measured with items on spoken and written language and ethnic identification. Psychological distress was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). We found that as acculturation increased, distress significantly increased in young adults but tended to decrease in older adults. This general pattern held for males and females and was consistent for the CES-Dtotal score and caseness rates. The effects of acculturation were independent of the effects of income and education. We discuss that alienation and discrimination may be two intervening events producing the psychological distress of the highly acculturated young adults. Further, our findings tentatively suggest a longitudinal process whereby acculturated younger Mexican Americans attempting to advance themselves economically and socially in the dominant society strip themselves of traditional resources and ethnically-based social support. Through the years, however, they may re-establish ties to their native culture which contributes to relatively positive mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaplan, Mark S. & Marks, Gary, 1990. "Adverse effects of acculturation: Psychological distress among Mexican American young adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1313-1319, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:31:y:1990:i:12:p:1313-1319
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    1. repec:pri:crcwel:wp08-15-ff is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Lisa M. Bates & Julien O. Teitler, 2008. "Immigration and low birthweight in the US: The role of time and timing," Working Papers 1085, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    3. Neharika Vohra & John Adair, 2000. "Life Satisfaction of Indian Immigrants in Canada," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 12(2), pages 109-138, September.
    4. Peter Cheung, 1995. "Acculturation and Psychiatric Morbidity Among Cambodian Refugees in New Zealand," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 41(2), pages 108-119, June.
    5. Lee, Min-Ah, 2009. "Neighborhood residential segregation and mental health: A multilevel analysis on Hispanic Americans in Chicago," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(11), pages 1975-1984, June.
    6. M.G. Madianos & F. Gonidakis & D. Ploubidis & E. Papadopoulou & E. Rogakou, 2008. "Measuring Acculturation and Symptoms of Depression of Foreign Immigrants in the Athens Area," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(4), pages 338-349, July.
    7. Ilana Akresh, 2009. "Health Service Utilization Among Immigrants to the United States," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 28(6), pages 795-815, December.
    8. Viruell-Fuentes, Edna A., 2007. "Beyond acculturation: Immigration, discrimination, and health research among Mexicans in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(7), pages 1524-1535, October.
    9. Bernarda Espinoza-Castro & Tobias Weinmann & Rossana Mendoza López & Katja Radon, 2019. "Major Depressive Syndrome (MDS) and its Association with Time of Residence among Spanish Speaking Au-Pairs Living in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-10, November.

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