Comparing trajectories of self-rated health by race/ethnicity among adolescents in immigrant and native-born families: Does assimilation matter?

Background: The health trajectory of children in immigrant families in the United States is not well-understood due data limitation, and because most existing research has focused on Hispanic populations to the exclusion of other race/ethnic groups. The present study assessed how parental immigrant status is related to the health trajectory of adolescence and young adulthood in immigrant and non-immigrant families.

Methods: The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) data was analyzed to address the research hypotheses. Add Health is a longitudinal study of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents who were enrolled in grades 7-12 during 1994-95 school year and followed up to aged 24-32. Respondents (adolescents or young adults) with non-immigrant and immigrant parents respectively were 14,158 and 3,300 in Wave 1; 10,353 and 2,318 in Wave 2; 10,966 and 2,418 in Wave 3; and 11,590 and 2,366 in Wave 4. We examined the overall as well as the racial/ethnic differences in the trajectories of self-reported physical health from age 12 to 32 using a hierarchical linear modeling approach. Also, we assessed the effect of assimilation on the self-reported health trajectories.

Results: An advantage in the trajectory of self-reported health exists for those in immigrant families from age 12 to 32 regardless of race/ethnicity. Adjusting for socioeconomic characteristics, demographic factors, acculturation, and spatial assimilation does not fully explain the health advantage.

Conclusion: Policies that ensure access to adequate health care are necessary to preserve the health advantage of adolescents and young adults with immigrant parents.