Discrimination and PTSD among Latinx immigrant youth: The moderating effects of gender.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Discrimination is a minority-related stressor that contributes to mental health disparities between Latinx youth and their racial/ethnic peers. Discrimination activates the body's stress response system, resulting in a higher allostatic load that can cause mental health problems such as PTSD. We explored 1) the relation between perceived discrimination and PTSD symptoms among Latinx immigrant youth, and 2) how gender moderates this relation.

Methods

We conducted surveys with 306 Latinx first- and second-generation immigrant youth during the 2018-19 school year in Harris County, Texas and Rhode Island.

Results

We found that youth who perceived more discrimination were more likely to report PTSD symptoms. Female participants reported higher levels of PTSD symp

SUBMITTER: Brabeck KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8758504 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature