Cultural Strengths of Latino-American Subgroups: Differential Associations With Their Self-Rated Mental and Physical Health

Few studies have examined subgroup differences regarding the role of collective cultural strengths among Latinos, the largest minority population in the United States today. Based on cultural and social psychologists’ emphasis on their importance to minorities, this study explored the association of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cross-cultural psychology 2017-10, Vol.48 (9), p.1349-1368
Main Authors: Ai, Amy L., Carretta, Henry J., Aisenberg, Eugene
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asian American people
Cultural factors
Cultural identity
Discrimination
Ethnic groups
Ethnic identity
Ethnicity
Health status
Hispanic Americans
Latin American cultural groups
Mental health
Mexican Americans
Minority groups
Psychologists
Puerto Ricans
Racial identity
Religiosity
Religious participation
Self evaluation
Social identity
Social support
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Summary:Few studies have examined subgroup differences regarding the role of collective cultural strengths among Latinos, the largest minority population in the United States today. Based on cultural and social psychologists’ emphasis on their importance to minorities, this study explored the association of three cultural factors with self-reported mental and physical health for three Latino subgroups identified in the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). Relative to Cubans, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans experienced poorer physical health and, not surprisingly, more religious involvement. Cubans reported stronger ethnic identity and social support (SS) and were socioeconomically more affluent compared with both Puerto Ricans and Mexicans. Multivariate analyses revealed positive effects of religious attendance on the mental and physical health of Puerto Ricans, controlling for the negative role of discrimination and other known predictors. Racial/ethnic identity was linked with better mental health of all three Latino subgroups, whereas SS had no significant effect.
ISSN:0022-0221
1552-5422
DOI:10.1177/0022022117723528