Distress in Mexican-American immigrants: linking acculturative stress and depression

Objectives: Mexican immigrants, one of the fastest growing immigrant population in the United States, report the highest levels of acculturative stress among any other immigrant group. However, acculturative stress in relation to depressive symptoms remain understudied in this population. To bring awareness to this area, the current study seeks to explore this relationship in the literature and identify the appropriate and effective treatment options for this population. Methods: Source documents were identified through a computerized search utilizing the Psych INFO, PubMed, and Sage bibliographical databases covering the years 2000 to 2017 to examine the historical background of the Mexican-American population during this era. After applying relevant exclusion criteria, including other Hispanic/Latino groups and other diagnoses, 44 texts warranted inclusion, including four chapters and 40 articles. Results: A thorough review revealed several factors, specifically age, gender, time since immigration, perceived discrimination, and generational status impact acculturative stress and depressive symptoms among Mexican-American immigrants. However, family, culture, and language were cited as potential barriers that may detour Mexican-American immigrants from seeking treatment for acquired depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The current study found that depressive symptoms are associated with acculturative stress, but there is still more to do as research was limited by unrepresentative sampling. The current study serves to increase awareness of acculturative stress in Mexican-American immigrants and serves to guide future treatment and research in this population.

Keywords: Mexican immigrants, acculturative stress, depression, and Mexican Americans