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Limited English proficiency and psychological distress among Latinos and Asian Americans

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  • Zhang, Wei
  • Hong, Seunghye
  • Takeuchi, David T.
  • Mossakowski, Krysia N.

Abstract

English proficiency is increasingly recognized as an important factor that is related to the mental health of immigrants and ethnic minorities. However, few studies have examined how the association between English proficiency and mental health operates and whether the pattern of association is similar or different among various ethnic minority groups. This paper investigates how limited English proficiency directly and indirectly affects psychological distress through pathways of discrimination for both Latinos and Asian Americans in the United States. Findings suggest that, for Asian Americans, limited English proficiency has an independent relationship with psychological distress over and above demographic variables, socioeconomic and immigration-related factors and discrimination. For Latinos, however, socio-demographic variables and discrimination show a stronger association than limited English proficiency in affecting psychological distress. Different forms of discrimination – everyday discrimination and racial/ethnic discrimination – are equally important for both ethnic groups. Findings underscore the differential role of limited English proficiency for the mental health of Asian Americans and Latinos and suggest the distinctive racial experiences and backgrounds of these two ethnic groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Wei & Hong, Seunghye & Takeuchi, David T. & Mossakowski, Krysia N., 2012. "Limited English proficiency and psychological distress among Latinos and Asian Americans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(6), pages 1006-1014.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:75:y:2012:i:6:p:1006-1014
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.012
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    Cited by:

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    2. Fitnete Martinaj, 2020. "Foreign Languages: The Key Factor in Employability," Management, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 15(3), pages 161-178.
    3. Sousan Hamwi & Elsa Lorthe & Henrique Barros, 2021. "Language Proficiency and Migrant–Native Disparities in Postpartum Depressive Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    4. Ro, Annie & Bostean, Georgiana, 2015. "Duration of U.S. stay and body mass index among Latino and Asian immigrants: A test of theoretical pathways," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 39-47.
    5. Min Ju Kim & Bridget K. Gorman, 2022. "Acculturation and Self-rated Health Among Asian Immigrants: The Role of Gender and Age," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(1), pages 89-114, February.
    6. Linlin Yu & Andre M.N. Renzaho & Lishuo Shi & Li Ling & Wen Chen, 2020. "The Effects of Family Financial Stress and Primary Caregivers’ Levels of Acculturation on Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Humanitarian Refugees in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-19, April.
    7. Santosh Jatrana & Ken Richardson & Samba Siva Rao Pasupuleti, 2018. "The Effect of Nativity, Duration of Residence, and Age at Arrival on Obesity: Evidence from an Australian Longitudinal Study," VID Working Papers 1811, Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna.

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