- Low levels of ethnic identity were associated with increased risk of 12-month depressive, lifetime depressive, and lifetime substance-related disorders among Latino immigrants.  

- For Asian American immigrants, high levels of ethnic identity were associated with decreased risk of 12-month anxiety disorders, and low levels of ethnic identity were associated with increased risk of lifetime substancerelated disorders.

Result of Ethnic Identity for Immigrants

- Ethnic identity refers to individuals’ identification with their ethnic culture and sense of belonging with members of their ethnic group.

- Ethnic identity serves as a protective factor against psychological problems --> the ethnic culture and community shelter immigrants from adaptation stressors.

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- Social networking

- Ethnic identity

- Family cohesion

- Language Proficiency

- Discrimination

- Acculturative Stress

- Family Conflict

- Socioeconomic Status

Protective Factors Among Latino and Asian American Immigrants

Leong, F., Park, Y. S., &amp; Kalibatseva, Z. (2013). Disentangling immigrant status in Mental Health: Psychological Protective and risk factors among Latino and Asian American immigrants. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 83(2–3), 361–371. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajop.12020 

[Reference] Disentangling Immigrant Status in Mental Health: Psychological Protective and Risk Factors Among Latino and Asian American Immigrants

- Latino immigrants may internalize discrimination experiences as personal failures, which in turn may elevate rates of depression and anxiety. 

- For Asian Americans, studies have shown that discrimination is related to higher levels of depression and psychological distress

Discrimination for Immigrants

 - Family cohesion related to lower rates of psychiatric problems and improvements in problem-solving skills and social self-efficacy among Latinos.

- It also related to lower behavioral problems and higher academic achievement among Asian Americans.

Family Cohesion for Immigrants

- LEP has been related to poor mental health outcomes among immigrants.

- Asian men who were less proficient in English were more likely to develop lifetime psychological disorders.

- Latinos who had an English-dominant language orientation reported higher life satisfaction and self-esteem compared to their counterparts with a Spanish-dominant orientation. 

- Bilingual orientation may be related to positive mental health outcomes among Latino and Asian immigrants, such as fewer depressive and psychosomatic symptoms.

Language Proficiency for Immigrants

- Immigrants are likely to locate opportunities and make arrangements to build social connections prior to emigration to mitigate the initial culture shock.

- In addition to chain migration, immigrants’ preexisting social, religious, and academic organizations from their countries of origin may help facilitate building of social networks in the host country

Social Networking for Immigrants

Ethnic Identity for Immigrants

The stress from navigating between cultural contexts becomes problematic when Latinos and Asian Americans operate within mainstream cultural norms that are in conflict with their traditional values 

Acculturative Stress for Immigrants

The family conflict resulting from parent–child acculturation differences is a prevalent problem facing Latino and Asian immigrant families

Family Conflict for Immigrants

- Stringent anti-illegal immigration policies may create occupational and educational barriers to social-economic mobility among foreign-born Latinos who are undocumented. 

- Discrimination and negative stereotypes against Latinos may relegate capable Latino workers to low wage and physically arduous work, which in turn may serve as a risk factor for mental illness

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