Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Relationship between Mental Health, Acculturative Stress, and Academic Performance in a Latino Middle School Sample

  • Published:
Contemporary School Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study evaluated the relationship between acculturative stress, symptoms of internalizing mental health problems, and academic performance in a sample of 94 Latino middle school students. Students reported on symptoms indicative of depression and anxiety related problems and acculturative stress. Teachers reported on students’ academic behavior and performance. Acculturative stress and symptoms of internalizing mental health problems were found to have a significant inverse association with students’ academic performance. Implications for the development of culturally responsive interventions that address mental health problems and acculturative stress are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agresti, A., & Finlay, B. (2009). Statistical methods for the social sciences (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alfaro, E. C., Umaña-Taylor, A. J., Gonzales-Backen, M. A., Bámaca, M. Y., & Zeiders, K. H. (2009). Latino adolescents' academic success: The role of discrimination, academic motivation, and gender. Journal of Adolescence, 32(4), 941–962. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2008.08.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alva, S. A., & de los Reyes, R. (1999). Psychosocial stress, internalized symptoms, and the academic achievement of Hispanic adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 14(3), 343–358. doi:10.1177/0743558499143004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association. (2002). Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational change for psychologists. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/multiculturalguidelines/scope.html.

  • Aud, S., Fox, M., & KewalRamani, A. (2010). Status and trends in the education of racial and ethnic groups (NCES 2010–015). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2010015.

  • Bernal, G., Bonilla, J., & Bedillo, C. (1995). Ecological validity and cultural sensitivity for outcome research: Issues for the cultural adaptation and development of psychological treatments with Hispanics. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 23(1), 67–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco-Vega, C., Castro-Olivo, S., & Merrell, K. (2008). Social-emotional needs of Latino. immigrant adolescents: A sociocultural model for development and implementation of culturally specific interventions. Journal of Latinos and Education, 7(1), 43–61. doi:10.1080/15348430701693390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodkin-Andrews, G. H., Seaton, M., Nelson, G. F., Craven, R. G., & Yeung, A. S. (2010). Questioning the general self-esteem vaccine: General self-esteem, racial discrimination, and standardized achievement across Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Australian Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 20(1), 1–21. doi:10.1375/ajgc.20.1.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broidy, L. M., Nagin, D. S., Tremblay, R. E., Bates, J. E., Brame, B., Dodge, K. A., et al. (2003). Developmental trajectories of childhood disruptive behaviors and adolescent delinquency: A six-site, cross national study. Developmental Psychology, 39(2), 222–245.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, B. J., Costello, E. J., Angold, A., Tweed, D., Stangl, D., Farmer, E. M., et al. (1995). Children’s mental health service use across service sectors. Health Affairs, 14(3), 147–159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cabassa, L. J. (2003). Measuring acculturation: Where we are and where we need to go. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 25, 127–146. doi:10.1177/0739986303025002001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, F. G., Barrera, M., & Martinez, C. R. (2004). The cultural adaptation of prevention interventions: Resolving tensions between fidelity and fit. Society for Prevention Research, 5, 41–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro-Olivo, S. (2010). One size does not fit all: Adapting SEL programs for use in our multicultural world. In K. W. Merrell & B. A. Gueldner (Eds.), Social and emotional learning in the classroom: Promoting mental health and academic success (pp. 83–102). New York, NY: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castro-Olivo, S. (2006). The effects of a culturally-adapted social-emotional learning curriculum on social-emotional and academic outcomes of Latino immigrant high school students. University of Oregon, Eugene: Unpublished doctoral dissertation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castro-Olivo, S., & Merrell, K. W. (2012). Validating cultural adaptations of school-based social-emotional learning program for use with Latino immigrant adolescents. Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, 5(2), 78–92. doi:10.1080/1754730X.2012.689193.

  • Castro-Olivo, S. M., Palardy, G., Albeg, A. L., & Williamson, A. A. (2013). Development and validation of the Coping with Acculturative Stress in American Schools (CASAS) scale on a Latino adolescent sample. Assessment for Effective Intervention. doi:10.1177/1534508413500983.

  • Centers for Disease Control. (2008). Health disparities experienced by Hispanic children, youth, and adults. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/disparities/hispanic/hispanic_disparities.htm.

  • Ellis, B. H., MacDonald, H. Z., Lincoln, A. K., & Cabral, H. J. (2008). Mental health of Somali adolescent refugees: The role of trauma, stress, and perceived discrimination. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(2), 184–193. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.76.2.184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fry, R., & Gonzales, F. (2008). One-in-five and growing fast: A profile of Hispanic public school students. Washington, DC: Pew Hispanic Center. Retrieved from http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=92.

  • Gil, A. G., Vega, W. A., & Dimas, J. M. (1994). Acculturative stress and personal adjustment among Hispanic adolescent boys. Journal of Community Psychology, 22, 43–54. doi:10.1002/1520-6629(199401)22:1<43::AID-JCOP2290220106>3.0.CO;2-T.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gudiño, O. G., Lau, A. S., Yeh, M., McCabe, K. M., & Hough, R. L. (2009). Understanding racial/ethnic disparities in youth mental health services. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 17(1), 3–16. doi:10.1177/1063426608317710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzales, N. A., & Kim, L. S. (1997). Stress and coping in an ethnic minority context. In S. A. Wolchik & I. N. Sandler (Eds.), Handbook of children’s coping: Linking theory and intervention (pp. 481–511). New York, NY: Plenum Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, W. C., & Ting, J. Y. (2008). Disaggregating the effects of acculturation and acculturative stress on the mental health of Asian Americans. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14(2), 147–154. doi:10.1037/1099-9809.14.2.147.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kataoka, S. H., Zhang, L., & Wells, K. B. (2002). Unmet need for mental health care among U.S. children: Variation by ethnicity and insurance status. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(9), 1548–1555.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kovacs, M. (1992). Children’s Depression Inventory. North Tonowanda, NY: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobato, D., Kao, B., Plante, W., Seifer, R., Grullon, E., Cheas, L., et al. (2011). Psychological and school functioning of Latino siblings of children with intellectural disability. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52(6), 696–703. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02357.x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Farrington, D. P., Stouthamer-Loeber, M., & Van Kammen, W. B. (1998). Antisocial behavior and mental health problems: Explanatory factors in childhood and adolescence. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomax, R. G. (2007). Statistical concepts: A second course for education and the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, T., Dempsey, M., & Overstreet, S. (2009). Effects of exposure to community violence on school functioning: The mediating role of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47, 586–591. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.04.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mena, F. J., Padilla, A. M., & Maldonado, M. (1987). Acculturative stress and specific coping strategies among immigrants and later generation college students. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 9, 207–225. doi:10.1177/07399863870092006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merrell, K. W. (2010). Linking prevention science and social and emotional learning: The Oregon Resiliency Project. Psychology in the Schools, 47(1), 55–70. doi:10.1002/pits.20451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merrell, K. W., & Gueldner, B. A. (2010). Social and emotional learning in the classroom: Promoting mental health and academic success. New York, NY: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merrell, K. W., Juskelis, M. P., Tran, O. K., & Buchanan, R. (2008). Social and emotional learning in the classroom: Evaluation of strong kids and strong teens on students' social-emotional knowledge and symptoms. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 24, 209–224. doi:10.1080/15377900802089981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merrell, K. W., & Walters, A. S. (1998). Internalizing Symptoms Scale for Children. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mistry, R. S., Benner, A. D., Tan, C. S., & Kim, S. Y. (2009). Family economic stress and academic well-being among Chinese-American youth: The influence of adolescents' perceptions of economic strain. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 279–290. doi:10.1037/a0015403.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Association of School Psychologists. (2008). The importance of school mental health services (Position Statement). Bethesda, MD: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2008). Healthy youth! Health risks and disparities experienced by Hispanic youth. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/disparities/hispanic/Hispanicdisparities.htm.

  • National Center for Education Statistics. (2008). Fast facts: Dropout rates for high school students. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/FastFacts/display.asp?id=16.

  • Padilla, A. M., & Ruiz, R. A. (1973). Latino mental health: A review of literature. Oxford: England: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prelow, M. H., & Loukas, A. (2003). The role of resource, protective, and risk factors on academic achievement-related outcomes of economically disadvantaged Latino youth. Journal of Community Psychology, 31(5), 513–529. doi:10.1002/jcop.10064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. (2003). Achieving the promise: Transforming mental health care in America: Final report (DHHS Pub. No. SMA-03-3832). Rockville, MD: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvia, J., Ysseldyke, J. E., & Bolt, S. (2007). Assessment in special and inclusive education (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

  • Schwartz, D., & Gorman, A. H. (2003). Community violence exposure and children's academic functioning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 163–173. doi:10.1037/0022-0663.95.1.163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. J., Zamboanga, B. L., & Jarvis, L. H. (2007). Ethnic identity and acculturation in Hispanic early adolescents: Mediated relationships to academic grades, prosocial behaviors, and externalizing symptoms. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 13(4), 364–373. doi:10.1037/1099-9809.13.4.364.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, S., & Han, M. (2005). Perceived school environments, perceived discrimination, and school performance among children of Mexican immigrants. Children and Youth Services Review, 27(1), 51–66. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2004.08.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suarez-Morales, L., & Lopez, B. (2009). The impact of acculturative stress and daily hassles on pre-adolescent psychological adjustment: Examining anxiety symptoms. Journal of Primary Prevention, 30, 335–349. doi:10.1007/s10935-009-0175-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suarez-Morales, L., Szapocznik, J., & Dillon, F. R. (2007). Validation of the acculturative stress inventory for children. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 13(3), 216–224. doi:10.1037/1099-9809.13.3.216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Umaña-Taylor, A. J., Updegraff, K. A., & Gonzales-Backen, M. A. (2011). Mexican-origin adolescent mothers' stressors and psychological functioning: Examining ethnic identity affirmation and familism as moderators. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(2), 140–157.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2000). The Hispanic population in the United States: March 2000. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec1.html.

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Mental health: Culture, race, and ethnicity—A supplement to mental health: a report of the surgeon general. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Zychinski, K. E., & Polo, A. J. (2012). Academic achievement and depressive symptoms in Low-income Latino youth. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21, 565–577. doi:10.1007/s10826-011-9509-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Riverside, CA, USA

    Loren J. Albeg & Sara M. Castro-Olivo

Authors
  1. Loren J. Albeg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sara M. Castro-Olivo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sara M. Castro-Olivo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Albeg, L.J., Castro-Olivo, S.M. The Relationship between Mental Health, Acculturative Stress, and Academic Performance in a Latino Middle School Sample. Contemp School Psychol 18, 178–186 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-014-0010-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-014-0010-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation