Acculturative Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Latinx Youth: The Role of Behavioral Inhibition, Cultural Values, and Active Coping

Abstract

Acculturative stress is a cultural stressor that predicts various internalizing problems,such as anxiety and depression. Interestingly, not every individual who experiences acculturative stress reports psychological impairment, which suggests the potential interplay of proximal risk and protective factors. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research that considers the impact of temperamental, cultural, and behavioral factors on the relationship between acculturative stress, anxiety, and depression. The current study clarifies how temperamental (behavioral inhibition), cultural (values), and behavioral (active coping) factors may interact with the relationship between acculturative stress and youth internalizing problems (anxiety and depression) in a short-longitudinal sample of Latinx youth (n = 161). Results indicated a significant and positive relationship between acculturative stress, anxiety, and depression at Time 1 and Time 2. Behavioral inhibition moderated the relationship between acculturative stress and depression at Time 1, such that elevated levels of behavioral inhibition appeared to strengthen the relationship between acculturative stress and depression. Furthermore, active coping moderated the relationship between acculturative stress and depression at Time 1 and Time 2. Contrary to expected findings, elevated levels of active coping appeared to strengthen the positive relationship between acculturative stress and depression. We did not find any significant moderation effects between acculturative stress and youth anxiety. Findings from the current study make advancements towards a personalized understanding of proximal factors that interact with the experience of acculturative stress, anxiety, and depression. Finally, we identify potential specific points of intervention and support for Latinx youth in community mental health.