Presentation Information
[P-24-06]Acculturation and Psychological Distress Among Adolescents in the United States: A Cross-Racial Analysis Using California Health Interview Survey (CHIS)
Franco Valencia1, *Karin Kai Wing Wang1, So Hee Naomi Ahn1, Thirumagal Gowrikanthan1, Jasmin Choi1, Lester Andrew Uy1, Armaan Jamal1, Nitya Rajeshuni1,2, Robert Huang1,3, Gloria Kim1,3, Malathi Srinivasan1,3, Latha Palaniappan1,3, Steven Sust1,4 (1.Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education(United States of America), 2.Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine(United States of America), 3.Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine(United States of America), 4.Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine(United States of America))
Keywords:
Acculturation,Adolescent Mental Health,Immigrants,Racial Disparities,Language
Mental health challenges affect one in five adolescents in the U.S., yet the relationship between acculturation and mental health among immigrant youth remains underexplored. This study examines how acculturation-related factors relate to psychological distress among adolescents across racial groups in California.
We analyzed data from 4,366 adolescents aged 12–17 using CHIS data from 2019 to 2022. Participants self-identified as White, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander/Other Single Race, or Multiracial. Psychological distress in the past year was assessed using the Kessler 6 scale. Acculturation was defined by nativity status, years lived in the U.S., and language(s) spoken at home. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to assess associations, adjusting for race, sex, age, and parental education.
Compared to White adolescents, African American, Asian, and Hispanic youth had lower odds of reporting psychological distress (OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.21, 0.65], OR = 0.58 [0.44, 0.77], OR = 0.73 [0.60, 0.90]). Female adolescents were twice as likely to report distress (OR = 1.98 [1.67, 2.34]). Older age (OR = 1.14 [1.09, 1.19]) and parental higher education (OR = 1.39 [1.15, 1.68]) were also associated with increased odds of distress. Speaking one foreign language at home (OR = 0.55 [0.26, 1.19]) and living for 15+ years in the U.S. (OR = 0.72 [0.28, 1.89]) appeared protective, while speaking multiple foreign languages was associated with elevated risk (OR = 1.36 [0.90, 2.06]).
Though not at conventional levels of significance, monolingualism at home and longer U.S. residence may be protective against psychological distress, while bilingualism could reflect stress from the parent–child acculturation gap. Targeted efforts are therefore needed to address mental health challenges related to acculturation.
We analyzed data from 4,366 adolescents aged 12–17 using CHIS data from 2019 to 2022. Participants self-identified as White, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander/Other Single Race, or Multiracial. Psychological distress in the past year was assessed using the Kessler 6 scale. Acculturation was defined by nativity status, years lived in the U.S., and language(s) spoken at home. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to assess associations, adjusting for race, sex, age, and parental education.
Compared to White adolescents, African American, Asian, and Hispanic youth had lower odds of reporting psychological distress (OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.21, 0.65], OR = 0.58 [0.44, 0.77], OR = 0.73 [0.60, 0.90]). Female adolescents were twice as likely to report distress (OR = 1.98 [1.67, 2.34]). Older age (OR = 1.14 [1.09, 1.19]) and parental higher education (OR = 1.39 [1.15, 1.68]) were also associated with increased odds of distress. Speaking one foreign language at home (OR = 0.55 [0.26, 1.19]) and living for 15+ years in the U.S. (OR = 0.72 [0.28, 1.89]) appeared protective, while speaking multiple foreign languages was associated with elevated risk (OR = 1.36 [0.90, 2.06]).
Though not at conventional levels of significance, monolingualism at home and longer U.S. residence may be protective against psychological distress, while bilingualism could reflect stress from the parent–child acculturation gap. Targeted efforts are therefore needed to address mental health challenges related to acculturation.