Cultural Stress, Personal Identity Development, and Mental Health Among U.S. Hispanic College Students

Seth J. Schwartz, Cory L. Cobb, Alan Meca, Tara Bautista, Sumeyra Sahbaz, Aigerim Alpysbekova, Lawrence G. Watkins, Lea Nehme, Byron L. Zamboanga, Pablo Montero-Zamora, Maria Duque, Duyen H. Vo, Yara Acaf, José Szapocznik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study examines the extent to which culturally stressful experiences may predict impaired well-being, increased internalizing symptoms (depression and anxiety), and increased externalizing problems (social aggression, physical aggression, and rule breaking) among a sample of Hispanic college students in Miami across a 12-day period. The predictive effects of cultural stressors on these outcomes were examined both (a) directly and (b) indirectly through daily fluctuations in students’ personal identity synthesis and confusion. Results indicated direct predictive effects of cultural stress on four forms of well-being (self-esteem, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and eudaimonic well-being), on symptoms of depression and anxiety, and on physical aggression and rule breaking. The predictive effects of cultural stress on all four forms of well-being and on symptoms of depression and anxiety were partially mediated through daily fluctuations (instability) in students’ sense of personal identity synthesis. Findings were consistent across genders and between U.S.- and foreign-born students. Results are discussed in terms of implications for intervention and for policy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)518-531
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry
Volume94
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 28 2024

Keywords

  • cultural stress
  • daily fluctuations
  • Hispanic college students
  • mental health
  • personal identity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Psychology (miscellaneous)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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