Stress, Resilience, and Mental Health among Latinx Adults Residing in Flint, Michigan

Abstract

While many research studies have been conducted concerning the Flint Water Crisis, including studies examining experiences of stress and anxiety among Flint residents, this research often fails to account for the experiences of the Latinx population. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between chronic stress, resilience, and mental health. Specifically, this study sought to understand whether chronic financial stress and water crisis-related stress predicted current anxiety among Latinx residents of Flint, Michigan. We also sought to understand whether resilience had a protective effect against anxiety. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER)-Latinx, where n = 98 unique households completed interviewer-administered surveys. Participants had to reside within the City of Flint, be 18 years old or older, and self-identify as Hispanic/Latinx. To examine the relationship between water crisis related stress, chronic financial stress, resilience, and anxiety, chi-square tests and Pearson coefficient analyses were conducted. A multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was also performed, which controlled for age, gender, and acculturation. RESULTS: Both water crisis related stress (p=.023, _=.033) and chronic financial stress (p<.001, _=.094) were found to be significant predictors of current anxiety. IMPLICATIONS: Six years after the start of the Flint Water Crisis, we continue to document its toll on the health of Flint's residents. To address the mental health needs of the Latinx community, it is imperative that free, bilingual health and social services be provided to these innocent victims of this man-made disaster.