Limited English proficiency and psychological distress among Latinos and Asian Americans

• Published in: Social science & medicine (1982) 2012-09, Vol.75 (6), p.1006-1014
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wei, Hong, Seunghye, Takeuchi, David T., Mossakowski, Krysia N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asian - psychology; Asian - statistics & numerical data; Asian Americans; Biological and medical sciences; Communication; Communication Barriers; Demographics; Demography; Discrimination; Emotional disorders; English language; English proficiency; Ethnicity; Female; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic or Latino - psychology; Hispanic or Latino - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Immigrants; Language; Language proficiency; Latinos; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority Groups; Minority Groups - psychology; Minority Groups - statistics & numerical data; Miscellaneous; Multilingualism; Prejudice; Psychological Distress; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Racial discrimination; Sociodemographic Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Stress, Psychological - ethnology; U.S.A; United States; USA; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0277-9536; 1873-5347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.012

English proficiency is increasingly recognized as an important factor that is related to the mental health of immigrants and ethnic minorities. However, few studies have examined how the association between English proficiency and mental health operates and whether the pattern of association is similar or different among various ethnic minority groups. This paper investigates how limited English proficiency directly and indirectly affects psychological distress through pathways of discrimination for both Latinos and Asian Americans in the United States. Findings suggest that, for Asian Americans, limited English proficiency has an independent relationship with psychological distress over and above demographic variables, socioeconomic and immigration-related factors and discrimination. For Latinos, however, socio-demographic variables and discrimination show a stronger association than limited English proficiency in affecting psychological distress. Different forms of discrimination – everyday discrimination and racial/ethnic discrimination – are equally important for both ethnic groups. Findings underscore the differential role of limited English proficiency for the mental health of Asian Americans and Latinos and suggest the distinctive racial experiences and backgrounds of these two ethnic groups. ► For Asian Americans, Limited English proficiency has an independent effect on psychological distress. ► This is over and above socio-demographic variables, immigration-related factors, and discrimination. ► For Latinos, gender, education, and discrimination are more important than limited English proficiency in affecting psychological distress. ► Findings indicate the differential role of limited English proficiency in relating to the mental health for these two ethnic minority groups.