Cultural Mistrust, Ethnic Discrimination, and Depressive Symptoms among Hispanic Emerging Adults

Background. Hispanic emerging adults experience high levels of depressive symptoms; more research is needed on social determinants of depressive symptoms to prevent/ reduce potential mental health challenges among this population. Accordingly, this study aimed (1) to examine the association between cultural mistrust and depressive symptoms among Hispanic emerging adults, and (2) to examine if ethnic discrimination moderated this association. Methods. Aims were examined among 200 Hispanic emerging adults from Arizona (n=99) and Florida (n=101) who completed a cross-sectional survey. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses. Results. Higher cultural mistrust was associated with higher depressive symptoms; however, ethnic discrimination did not moderate this association. Conclusions. This is likely the first study on cultural mistrust and mental health among Hispanics. Explanations for these findings are discussed; however, given the lack of research on cultural mistrust more studies are needed to better understand its influence on mental health.