Social Networks and Mental Health of Rural Latino Adolescents in North Florida

Authors

  • Kayla J. Elliott University of Florida College of Nursing
  • Shelbi Dupre University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions
  • ​Jeanne-Marie R. Stacciarini RN, PhD, FAAN University of Florida College of Nursing

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32473/ufjur.v21i2.108860

Keywords:

Latino adolescents, Mental Health, Social Networks

Abstract

Abstract

There is limited research on mental health in rural Latino communities, particularly with adolescents. The aims of this study were to: 1) describe the evidence of social networks and mental health research in rural Latino communities and 2) illustrate themes related to the social networks and mental health depicted by rural Latino adolescents. A secondary data analysis study was performed, using data collected through semi-structured interviews (N=59) with adolescents, 11-17 years-old, living in three rural counties of North Florida. The interviews were conducted by community health workers (promotoras), in either Spanish or English; exploring family and community relations. NVivo 12 was used to aid in managing and thematically analyzing the data.  Major themes were analyzed as Protective and Risk factors for mental health. A social network framework was then created under these themes including Family, School, Outside Community and Immigration Policy as main categories. The findings of this study highlight the need for mental health promotion interventions with rural Latino adolescents and can be used to influence future studies of social networks and mental health.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

References

Baumann, A. A., Kuhlberg, J. A., & Zayas, L. H. (2010). Familism, mother-daughter mutuality, and suicide attempts of adolescent Latinas. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(5), 616-624. doi:10.1037/a0020584

Berkman L. F & Glass, T. (2000). Social integration, social networks, social support, and health. In: Berkman L.F, Kawachi I, eds. Social Epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press; 2000:137-173.

Campos, B., Ullman, J. B., Aguilera, A., & Dunkel Schetter, C. (2014). Familism and psychological health: the intervening role of closeness and social support. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 20(2), 191-201. doi:10.1037/a0034094

Cook, B., Alegría, M., Lin, J. Y. & Guo, J. (2009). Pathways and Correlates Connecting Latinos Mental Health With Exposure to the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 99(12), 2247-2254. doi:10.2105/ajph.2008.137091

Cupito, A. M., Stein, G. L., Gonzalez, L. M., & Supple, A. J. (2016). Familism and Latino adolescent depressive symptoms: The role of maternal warmth and support and school support. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 22(4), 517-523. doi:10.1037/cdp0000097

Flores, A., López, G., Radford, J., (2018, June 13). Facts on Latinos in America: Current Data. Retrieved from https://www.pewhispanic.org/2017/09/18/facts-on-u-s-latinos-current-data/

García, C., Gilchrist, L., Vazquez, G., Leite, A., & Raymond, N. (2011). Urban and rural Immigrant Latino youths' and adults' knowledge and beliefs about mental health resources. Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health, 13(3), 500-509. doi:10.1007/s10903-010-9389-6

Gonzales, R. G. (2011). Learning to be illegal: Undocumented youth and shifting legal contexts in the transition to adulthood. American Sociological Review, 76(4), 602-619. doi:10.1177/0003122411411901

Hall, M., Fullerton, L., FitzGerald, C., & Green, D. (2016). Suicide risk and resiliency factors among Hispanic teens in New Mexico: Schools can make a difference. Journal of School Health, 2018 88(3), 227-236. doi:10.1111/josh.12599

Heaney C.A, & Israel, B.A. (2002). Social Networks and Social Support San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass; 2002.

Hirsch, J. K., & Cukrowicz, K. C. (2014). Suicide in rural areas: An updated review of the literature. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 38(2), 65-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rmh000001

Hirsch, J. K. (2006). A review of the literature on rural suicide: Risk and protective factors, incidence

and prevention. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 27, 189– 199. doi:10.1027/0227-5910.27.4.189

Hofferth, S. L., & Moon, U. J. (2016). How do they do it? The immigrant paradox in the transition to adulthood. Social Science Research, 57, 177-194. doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2015.12.013

Leong F, Park, Y.S., & Kalibatseva Z. (2013). Disentangling immigrant status in mental health: Psychological protective and risk factors among Latino and Asian American Immigrants. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 2013;83(2,3):361-371.

Lopez, W. D., LeBron, A. M., Graham, L. F., & Grogan-Kaylor, A. (2016). Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms Among Latina/o Adolescents of Immigrant Parents. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 36(2), 131-140. doi:10.1177/0272684x16628723

Nair, R.L, White R.M.B, Rosa M.W, Zeiders K.H. (2013). Cultural stressors and mental health symptoms among Mexican Americans: A prospective study examining the impact of the family and neighborhood context. Journal of Youth Adolescence. 2013; 42:1611–1623. [PubMed: 23111841]

Pong, S-L, & Landale, N.S. (2012). Academic achievement of legal immigrants’ children: The roles of parents’ pre- and postmigration characteristics in origin-group differences. Child Development. 2012; 83:1543–1559. [PubMed: 22966922]

Ryan, G.W., & Bernard, R.H. (2003). Techniques to identify themes. Field Methods 2003;15(85):85-109.

Smith, K. P., & Christakis, N. A. (2008). Social Networks and Health. Annual Review of Sociology(34), 405-429.

Stacciarini, J. M., et al. (2015). Rural Latinos' mental wellbeing: A mixed-methods pilot study of family, environment and social isolation factors. Community Mental Health Journal., U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Stacciarini+AND+wellbeing.

Stacciarini, J. M., et al. (2014). I didn't ask to come to this country...I was a child: The mental health implications of growing up undocumented.” Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, vol. 17, no. 4, 2014, pp. 1225–1230., doi:10.1007/s10903-014-0063-2.

Stein, G. L., Gonzalez, L. M., & Huq, N. (2012). Cultural stressors and the hopelessness model of depressive symptoms in Latino adolescents. Journal Youth Adolescence, 41(10), 1339-1349. doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9765-8

Tummala-Narra, P. (2015). Ethnic identity, perceived support, and depressive symptoms among racial minority immigrant-origin adolescents. Am Journal Orthopsychiatry, 85(1), 23-33. doi:10.1037/ort0000022

Vargas, E. D., & Ybarra, V. D. (2016). U.S. citizen children of undocumented parents: The link between state immigration policy and the health of Latino children. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 19(4), 913-920. doi:10.1007/s10903-016-0463-6

Downloads

Published

2020-02-10