150788 Acculturation status, coping strategies, and depression among Latino adolescents

Monday, November 5, 2007

Amy K. Leite, MPH , School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Carolyn Garcia, PhD, MPH, MS, RN , School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Carol Skay, PhD , School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Jöan Patterson, MPH, PhD , School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Background: Despite challenges associated with acculturation, recently immigrated Latino youth demonstrate lower rates of depressive symptoms than US born Latino youth. Acculturation to US mainstream culture may negatively affect the mental health of Latino youth. Purpose: To examine the mediating or moderating roles of coping on depression among Latino youth at varying acculturation stages. It was hypothesized that 1) coping strategies would be different for Latino youth based on acculturation stage and 2) Latino youth highly acculturated to US mainstream culture would report the lowest use of coping strategies. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used: 43 self-identified Latino youth ages 12-20 were recruited from a charter school and community- based clinic in an urban, Midwestern setting. The youth completed a 100-item Emotional Health survey, including 3 language-based measures of acculturation, 10 coping assessment items, and prevalence of depressive symptoms scale. Three categories of acculturation were created using language preference and length of time in the US (high, moderate, and low acculturation); data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Latino youth at different acculturation stages had significant differences in their reported use of coping strategies. Youth in the high acculturation category reported the highest degree of depression, and the fewest number of coping strategies. Conclusion: Degree of acculturation appears to associate with a Latino youth's selection of coping strategies. Further examination of acculturative processes, their influence on coping, and subsequent mental health outcomes is warranted so public health providers can optimally promote the health of Latino youth in the US.

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the influence of acculturation identified by Latino youth. 2.Recognize methodological challenges associated with the concept of acculturation. 3.Examine reasons for differences in coping strategy preferences among Latino youth at varying stages in the acculturation process as measured using language-based items.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Coping

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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