NCJ Number
240476
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 41 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2012 Pages: 1350-1365
Date Published
October 2012
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the risk for depression as Hispanic youth acculturate to U.S. society.
Abstract
The risk for depression increases as Hispanic youth acculturate to U.S. society. This association is stronger for Hispanic girls than boys. To better understand the influence of culture and family on depressive symptoms, the authors tested a process-oriented model of acculturation, cultural values, and family functioning. The data came from Project RED, which included 1,922 Hispanic students (53 percent girls; 86 percent were 14 years old; and 84 percent were U.S. born) from Southern California. The authors used data from 9th to 11th grade to test the influence of acculturation-related experiences on depressive symptoms over time. Multi-group structural equation analysis suggested that both family conflict and cohesion were linked with depressive symptoms. Hispanic cultural values were associated with family cohesion and conflict but the strength and direction of these relationships varied across cultural values and gender. For girls and boys, "familismo" and "respeto" were associated with higher family cohesion and lower family conflict. Moreover, gender roles were linked with higher family cohesion in girls but not in boys. These results indicate that improving family functioning will be beneficial for boys' and girls' psychological well-being. This may be achieved by promoting "familismo" and "respeto" for boys and girls and by promoting traditional gender roles for girls. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.