Decoding acculturative stress and psychological distress in Mexican immigrant women: insights from a path mediation analysis

Abstract

Background: This study investigates acculturative stress and its impact on psychological distress among Mexican immigrant women in the United States, with a particular focus on contextual factors shaping these acculturative stress experiences. It also seeks to provide actionable insights to address Mexican immigrant women's mental health needs.

Methods: Using the data from a total of 257 Mexican immigrant women in the National Latino Asian American Survey (NLAAS), path analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between acculturative stress, psychological distress, and various contextual factors.

Results: Acculturative stress was found to significantly contribute to psychological distress among Mexican immigrant women. Key factors affecting acculturative stress include contentment with the decision to move to the United States, English language proficiency, experiences of racial discrimination, difficulties associated with visiting family abroad, religiosity, and age at immigration. Critical determinants of psychological distress in the studied cohort, according to the results, are familismo values and racial discrimination.

Conclusion: The results of this study underscore the need to consider contextual factors in understanding and addressing acculturative stress and psychological distress among Mexican immigrant women. Practical and policy implications include the necessity to develop culturally sensitive interventions, enhance educational opportunities, improve access to mental health services, and implement anti-discrimination policies. By adopting these strategies, mental health professionals and policymakers can foster resilience, wellbeing, and successful integration of Mexican immigrant women in the U.S. society.

Keywords: Acculturative stress; Cultural sensitivity; Discrimination; Family values; Mental health; Mexican immigrant women.

Fig. 1

Internal and external contextual factors, acculturative stress and psychological distress among Mexican immigrant women Note: The fig. 1 illustrates the findings of the path analyses examining the influence of contextual factors on acculturative stress and psychological distress. The thickness of the lines represents the coefficient values, with denser lines indicating stronger impact. The results clearly demonstrate that diverse contexts affect both acculturative and psychological distress