Psychosocial disparities experienced by recently arrived Latino immigrant youth

Upon arriving in the US, immigrant youth experience significant stress adjusting to a new culture and lifestyle, which in turn affects health status. Previous research has documented the burden that the immigration process can have on families, yet few have focused on recently arrived youth. Understanding psychosocial differences in youth that recently immigrated, compared with those living in the US for five or more years, informs policy change that can address potentially detrimental health consequences. Analyses were based on data from a cross-sectional community survey of Latino youth aged 12-17 years (n=360) in 2012, born outside of the US. Validated measures included English preference, psychological distress, acculturative stress, and stressful life events. After adjusting for age, youth who immigrated to the US more recently had significantly higher acculturative stress (p < .05). Specifically, they felt more discriminated against, that their behavior was interpreted based on Latino stereotypes, and misunderstood in daily situations because of their English skills. Recently arrived youth also reported significantly (p < .05) more stressful life events within the past year, including moving residence, having a family member deported, and divorce. No differences were observed for measures of depression or future expectations. The development of culturally and linguistically appropriate prevention and intervention programs that address these psychosocial factors identified by this study as putting recently arrived immigrants at substantial risk are warranted. Further, interventions should promote social integration, family reunification, and job readiness, which will benefit immigrant youth, their families, and the community as a whole.