Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Purpose: Hispanics in the United States total approximately 45 million and their growth rate is exponential. Even though relatively young, older cohorts are growing as well. There is relatively little research that compares the risk exposure and health of Hispanics across the life course. Besides age, nativity (immigrant) status is another important dimension of Hispanic health. The author presents data from a research program initiated to assess different types of stressor exposure, stress, and health outcomes across three different age cohorts (25 to 44 years, 45 to 64 years, and 65 years and older), as well as across nativity (U.S.-born vs. Mexican-born) of Hispanics.

Methods: Data analyzed for this poster are from the baseline, cross-sectional survey of the Texas City Stress and Health Study. The sample includes 994 U.S.-born and 373 Mexican-born Hispanics. Data come from the Texas Stress and Health Project. Participants were drawn, using a multistage probability sample, from a 12 square mile area bordering a petrochemical plant in the community of Texas City, Texas. Eligibility criteria were that individuals be 25 years or older, currently living in Texas City, and agree to participate in the study by giving oral consent. Trained interviewers administered an approximately one-hour long, in-home, face-to-face survey that collected perceived health status, a range of psychosocial factors, health behaviors, and demographic variables. Measures administered include scales designed to assess concern about petrochemical risk, life event stressors, neighborhood ecology, acculturation, social support, and the outcomes of stress, and physical and mental health (as measured by the SF-36, and the CESD-R). We assess different types of stressor exposure, stress, and health outcomes across three age cohorts of Hispanics using between-group analysis of variance (ANOVA). Comparisons between nativity status of Hispanics were conducted using paired t-tests.

Results: Findings show significant differences between age and nativity groups on various measures, some of which support existing knowledge of the “Hispanic Paradox” and others that suggest new insights. Older Hispanics have less concern about petrochemical risks and life event stressors than middle-aged and younger Hispanics. Further, compared to middle-aged and younger Hispanics, older Hispanics are more satisfied with their neighborhood and have a greater sense of community. Older Hispanics are less acculturated than middle-aged and younger Hispanics; however, U.S.-born Hispanics are preserving Mexican culture more than Mexican-born Hispanics. Older Hispanics also report experiencing less stress, better mental health, and fewer depressive symptoms. Mexican-born Hispanics report better physical health than U.S.-born Hispanics. They also report fewer depressive symptoms than U.S.-born Hispanics, but no statistically significant differences for general mental health.

Implications: The data provide support the “Hispanic Paradox” and suggests that despite socioeconomic advantages of U.S.-born Hispanics, Mexican-born Hispanics report better physical health and fewer depressive symptoms. The data also provide new insights. For instance, despite having no social support advantage, older Hispanics show fewer depressive symptoms and perceive their neighborhoods as being better. Results of this preliminary analysis will inform the development of more in-depth exploration of age, nativity, stress and coping, and health outcomes of Hispanics.