The protective roles of Latinx intercultural competence and acculturation on acculturative stress and depression: A brief longitudinal study.

Abstract

This study examined the ability of cognitive schemas of culturally based skills, or Latinx intercultural competence (LIC), and acculturation to influence later acculturative stress and depression symptom severity. Latinx adults (final n 98), recruited from national e-mail listings and organizations with a predominant Latinx cultural base, completed online self-report measures of Latinx and Anglo acculturation, acculturative stress, LIC, and depression symptom severity at baseline (T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2). Path analysis indicated that T1 LIC was significantly related to greater T1 Latinx and T1 Anglo acculturation, and that T1 LIC was significantly, indirectly related to lower T2 acculturative stress through greater T1 Latinx acculturation. Greater T1 Latinx acculturation, but not T1 Anglo acculturation, was significantly, indirectly related to lower T2 depression through lower T2 acculturative stress. For Latinx adults, LIC may guide the expression of culturally sanctioned behavior through greater Latinx and Anglo acculturation. Heritage-culture acculturation may be crucial in protecting against later acculturative stress and depression. Findings are discussed in the context of the person-environment fit for effective intercultural exchange, and the potential importance of strengthening ties to cultural heritage in promoting Latinx mental health.