Date of Award
2023
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Specialization
Clinical Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Ellen Flannery-Schroeder
Abstract
To better serve the needs of Latino immigrants, we must investigate risk factors for mental health concerns, such as acculturative stress, unauthorized immigration status, and barriers to mental health services (MHS). The purpose of the present study was to: (1) explore the relationship between risk factors and mental health outcomes in a sample of Latino immigrants, (2) examine differences across legal immigration status in mental health outcomes and acculturative stress, (3) assess the mediating effect of anxiety sensitivity, psychological inflexibility, and avoidant coping strategies on the relationship between acculturative stress and anxiety, and (4) examine barriers for MHS utilization among Latino immigrants. First-generation Latino immigrants (N = 147, 59.9% male, 91.2% straight, 40.1% Black, Mage = 35.5) completed a cross-sectional self-report online survey. Results revealed significant correlations between risk factors and mental health concerns, and no differences across legal immigration status (authorized v. unauthorized). Both psychological flexibility and avoidant coping were found to fully mediate the relationship between acculturative stress and anxiety. Additionally, anxiety sensitivity was found to partially mediate that relationship. Unauthorized immigrants endorsed greater interference by socioeconomic and provider characteristic barriers than authorized immigrants. Results demonstrated that anxiety is a significant concern for Latino immigrants. Clinical implications, limitations of the study, and future research directions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Ruiz, Elaine, "ACCULTURATIVE STRESS, MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, AND SERVICE UTILIZATION AMONG LATINO IMMIGRANTS" (2023). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 1655.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/1655