Cindy L Ehlers1, David A Gilder, Jose R Criado, Raul Caetano. 1. Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, and the Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA and the University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX 75390.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Mexican Americans comprise one of the most rapidly growing populations in the U.S. and within this population the process of acculturation has been suggested to be associated with some mental health problems. This study sought to ascertain quantitative information indexing acculturation stress and its association with mental health disorders in a select community sample of Mexican Americans. METHODS: Demographic information, DSM-III-R diagnoses, and information on cultural identity and acculturation stress were obtained from 240 Mexican American young adults that were recruited by fliers and were residing in selected areas of San Diego. RESULTS: No associations were found between measures of cultural identification and lifetime diagnoses of drug or alcohol dependence, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders or antisocial personality disorder/conduct disorder in this sample of Mexican American young adults. However, lifetime diagnoses of alcohol dependence, substance dependence, and anxiety disorders were associated with elevations in acculturation stress. CONCLUSION: Quantitative measures of acculturation stress, but not cultural identity per se, were found to be significantly associated with substance dependence and anxiety disorders in this select population of Mexican American young adults. These data may be helpful in designing prevention and intervention programs for this high risk population.
OBJECTIVES: Mexican Americans comprise one of the most rapidly growing populations in the U.S. and within this population the process of acculturation has been suggested to be associated with some mental health problems. This study sought to ascertain quantitative information indexing acculturation stress and its association with mental health disorders in a select community sample of Mexican Americans. METHODS: Demographic information, DSM-III-R diagnoses, and information on cultural identity and acculturation stress were obtained from 240 Mexican American young adults that were recruited by fliers and were residing in selected areas of San Diego. RESULTS: No associations were found between measures of cultural identification and lifetime diagnoses of drug or alcohol dependence, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders or antisocial personality disorder/conduct disorder in this sample of Mexican American young adults. However, lifetime diagnoses of alcohol dependence, substance dependence, and anxiety disorders were associated with elevations in acculturation stress. CONCLUSION: Quantitative measures of acculturation stress, but not cultural identity per se, were found to be significantly associated with substance dependence and anxiety disorders in this select population of Mexican American young adults. These data may be helpful in designing prevention and intervention programs for this high risk population.
Authors: Kevin P Conway; Joel D Swendsen; Lisa Dierker; Glorisa Canino; Kathleen R Merikangas Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2007-06 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Ana P Martinez-Donate; Niko Verdecias; Xiao Zhang; Gonzalez-Fagoaga Jesús Eduardo; Ahmed A Asadi-Gonzalez; Sylvia Guendelman; Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes; Gudelia Rangel Journal: Med Care Date: 2020-05 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Elsa F Ronningstam; Shian-Ling Keng; Maria Elena Ridolfi; Mohammad Arbabi; Brin F S Grenyer Journal: Curr Psychiatry Rep Date: 2018-03-26 Impact factor: 5.285
Authors: Cindy L Ehlers; Corinne Kim; David A Gilder; Gina M Stouffer; Raul Caetano; Rachel Yehuda Journal: J Psychiatr Res Date: 2016-08-15 Impact factor: 4.791