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Child / Adolescent - Trauma / Maltreatment

Peer Support and Mental Health Outcomes among Latinx Youth: Differential Effects for Immigrant and U.S.-Born Adolescents

(PS6-54) Peer Support and Mental Health Outcomes Among Latinx Youth: Differential Effects for Immigrant and U.s.-born Adolescents

Friday, November 15, 2024

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown

Author(s)

AZ

Alexandra Zax, M.A.

Doctoral Student
Clinical Child Psychology Program University of Kansas
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Co-Author(s)

CS

Charlsie Solano, B.A.

Doctoral Student
Clinical Child Psychology Program University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas, United States
RG

Renee Gilbert, M.A.

Doctoral Student
Clinical Child Psychology Program University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas, United States
OG

Omar Gudiño, ABPP, Ph.D.

Deputy Clinical Director
Child Mind Institute
San Mateo, California, United States

Abstract Text:
Research demonstrates that psychosocial factors, such as support from peers, mitigate risk associated with exposure to community violence among Latinx youth. While studies demonstrate that social support is generally protective, little is known about the differential impact of social support on these pathways in U.S.-born Latinx youth compared to immigrant Latinx youth. Given findings that Latinx immigrants are often separated from family members and broader social networks during emigration from their countries of origin, which can lead to diminished social connection, social support may be key in explaining risk and resilience among Latinx immigrants exposed to community violence. The current study therefore examines differences in community violence exposure, number of friends, and mental health outcomes, as well as how peer support may differentially impact the relation between community violence exposure and mental health outcomes among U.S.-born (n = 106) and immigrant Latinx adolescents (n = 62). While Latinx immigrant youth endorsed fewer close friends compared to their U.S.-born peers [t(166) = -2.31, p < .001, d = .44], there were no differences in levels of exposure to community violence or mental health symptoms between subsamples (ps > .09). Notably, findings indicated that number of close friends moderated the relation between community violence exposure, internalizing symptoms (β = -.04, p < .05), and externalizing symptoms (β = -.04, p < .05) among immigrant Latinx youth only. Post-hoc probing of the interaction effects demonstrated that, among immigrant youth, increased number of friends buffered the effects of violence exposure on internalizing symptoms (β = .03, p =.32) and externalizing symptoms (β = .03, p =.28). These results suggest that while immigrant youth may have smaller social networks compared to US-born youth, these social networks may provide additional benefit for immigrant youth. Together, these findings highlight the importance of considering social support as a protective factor, particularly for immigrant youth who have been exposed to violence. Intervention and prevention efforts aimed at fostering social support networks and promoting positive social integration may provide direct benefit for immigrant youth.