The effects of immigrant status, gender and years of U.S. residency on the acculturative stress and psychological symptomatology of Mexican immigrants

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in acculturative stressors and symptomatology among documented and undocumented Mexican immigrants. Specifically, this study explored the interactions between gender and length of U.S. residency with immigration status in the acculturative stress experienced by Mexican immigrants. The study also examined if acculturative stress mediated the symptomatology of documented and undocumented Mexican immigrants. A convenient sample of 70 documented immigrants and 70 undocumented immigrants was recruited from Southern California. Findings indicated that extrafamilial stressors between documented and undocumented immigrants were comparable. However, they differed in their self-reported intrafamilial stressors, as documented immigrants reported greater intrafamilial stressors. Acculturative stress did not differ among participants, based on undocumented status, gender, or years of U.S. residency. Lastly, acculturative stress did not mediate the symptomatology of documented and undocumented Latino immigrants. When compared to other studies, these findings suggest that acculturative stress and psychological symptomatology are experienced differently across immigrant populations. Political and geographical contexts may play a role in the manifestation of stress and mental health symptoms of Mexican immigrants. Clinical implications are further discussed. Additional research is needed to understand the factors that buffer against acculturative stress in immigrant communities.