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. 2023 Aug;25(4):755-764.
doi: 10.1007/s10903-022-01430-9. Epub 2022 Nov 24.

Social Needs and Acculturation as Predictors of Emotional Problems and Perceived Stress Among Latinx Mothers with Low Income

Victoria F Keeton  1   2 , Janice F Bell  3 , Laura M Gottlieb  4 , Christiana Drake  3   5 , Matthew Pantell  6 , Danielle Hessler  4 , Holly Wing  7 , Erik O Fernandez Y Garcia  3   8
Affiliations

Social Needs and Acculturation as Predictors of Emotional Problems and Perceived Stress Among Latinx Mothers with Low Income

Victoria F Keeton et al. J Immigr Minor Health. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Associations between household social needs, acculturation, and emotional health remain understudied, particularly among Latinx mothers. We analyzed baseline survey data from 455 Latinx mothers in a previous study. Using multinomial regression, we examined whether emotional problems and perceived stress were associated with household social needs and acculturation. Almost half the sample reported four or more household social needs. Social needs cumulatively and independently predicted increased odds of frequent emotional problems or perceived stress. Lower acculturation predicted lower odds of frequent emotional problems. There is increased risk for emotional problems and stress in low-income Latinx mothers who experience high social need. Integrated social service and mental health care models may be one way to improve health outcomes. More research is needed to understand how clinical settings can leverage unique cultural protective factors to address the social and emotional health needs of Latinx mothers.

Keywords: Acculturation; Latinx; Mothers; Social needs; Stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; or decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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