Latino/a Acculturation, Smoking, and Depression: Towards the Development of Integrative Socio-cultural Models.

Abstract

The majority of U.S. Latino/as are immigrants or children of immigrants and experience cultural, social, and psychological changes as they navigate the U.S. cultural context. This acculturation process has been linked with depression and smoking risk, especially among Latina women. Depression and smoking can have debilitating consequences, they often co-occur, and link with stress. Thus, it is vital to understand the acculturation process and why it puts Latino/as at risk for mental health and substance use problems. Organized around two studies, this dissertation provides a novel and real-world understanding of Latino/a acculturation. It builds on extant research to develop and test holistic models of acculturation, smoking and depression. It also brings a unique gendered lens to the study of Latino/a acculturation as it is one of the first to empirically examine if and how acculturation-related experiences (discrimination, family conflict, familismo, and family cohesion) differ for Latinos and Latinas. By focusing on depression and smoking, this dissertation identifies similarities and differences in pathways to depression and smoking, informing more sensitive ways to not only reduce depression but also smoking. Data came from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), a national household survey that included 2,554 U.S. Latino/as (48% female; mean age = 38.02 years). Study 1 took a person-centered approach to the study of Latino/a acculturation, smoking, and depression. It showed that with acculturation, more women than men experience both problematic family lives and discrimination. For men, acculturation came mainly with elevated experiences of discrimination and not necessarily family conflict. Study 2 took a process-oriented approach to investigate pathways from acculturation to depression and smoking, separately for men and women. Results revealed that men and women have more similar than different acculturation-related experiences but women experience greater changes in the family domain, possibly putting them at greater risk for depression. Findings indicate that Latina/o women and men can benefit from prevention and intervention efforts that combat discrimination against Latino/as, help Latino/as cope with discrimination, and strengthen positive family relationships. It discusses how findings can inform gender- and culture-specific strategies to reduce Latino/a smoking and depression.