Risk and Protective Factors for Depression in Mexican-American Youth: The Impact of Generational Status, Family, and Parental Influences

Abstract

Generational differences in risk and protective factors for depression among Mexican- American adolescents are identified. An analysis using the Add Health data indicates that family support reduces the risk of depression for youth in this population. Findings indicate that second- and third-generation youth are at highest risk of depression compared to less acculturated youth. Depression rates are highest among second-generation females. Family support aspects reduced the risk of depression for females but did not mediate this risk for second-generation youth. The article examines the implications for cultural understanding of family and parental influences on Mexican-American adolescent mental health.

KEYWORDS:

• Mexican-American youth
• depression
• family support
• parental monitoring

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by PSC-CUNY Research Awards (Traditional A) - Cycle 44.