Spanish Language Use Across Generations and Depressive Symptoms Among US Latinos

Comparison of pain and psychosocial correlates among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White youth with chronic pain

Introduction:

Despite well-documented pain disparities among adults from non-White and Hispanic groups, less is known about pain disparities in non-White and Hispanic pediatric populations.

Objectives:

We compare pain and related psychosocial factors at the individual (pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, co-occurring symptoms), social (peer relations), and systemic (health insurance) levels among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) youth with chronic pain.

Methods:

Eight hundred thirty-seven (71.4% female) Hispanic (n = 268, 32%) and NHW (n = 569, 68%) youth ages 8 to 17 years (M = 14.00; SD = 2.54) completed a survey at their initial visit to a pain clinic. Independent sample t tests investigated mean differences in psychosocial factors at the individual and social levels. Chi-squared tests investigated differences at the systemic level. Bivariate correlations for each group were compared using Fisher r-to-z transformations.

Results:.

Hispanic youth reported higher levels of pain intensity (t[811] = −2.75, P = 0.006). Groups did not differ in reports of other individual or social factors. Non-Hispanic White youth were more likely to have private insurance (OR, 5.66). All examined variables were significantly correlated among NHW youth. Correlations were weaker or nonsignificant among Hispanic youth. Fisher r-to-z transformations revealed these group differences to be significant.

Conclusion:

Hispanic youth report higher pain levels than NHW counterparts and lower likelihood of having private insurance. Pain and psychosocial factors correlate differently among the 2 groups highlighting a need to better understand the chronic pain experiences of diverse youth because models derived primarily from NHW populations may not generalize across ethnic and racial groups.

The Relationships between Loneliness, Social Support, and Resilience among Latinx Immigrants in the United States

Globally, international migrants are at elevated risk for experiencing loneliness due to separation from social networks in their countries of origin. In the United States, the political rhetoric has been particularly exclusionary against Latinx immigrants, exposing them to discrimination and fear of deportation. Such environments may result in heightened levels of social isolation, which may contribute to greater risk of poor mental and physical health outcomes. Latinx immigrants, however, may access social support in their destination communities that buffers against these negative outcomes. This study sought to examine how social support and loneliness shape Latinx immigrants' abilities to address the challenges related to migration. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted with survey data collected from Latinx immigrants in New York City (n=306). Results revealed that Latinx immigrants with greater social support and less feelings of loneliness were more resilient. Specifically, findings suggest that social support may partially protect against the negative impact of isolation on Latinx immigrants' capacity to thrive. Clinical social workers who work with immigrant groups may consider how migration during the life course affects immigrants' social supports and experiences of loneliness. Social work interventions that integrate strategies to increase social support may provide opportunities to address social isolation and other obstacles associated with migration. Such approaches acknowledge loneliness not only as a psychological symptom, but also as a consequence of unfavorable social environments towards immigrant populations. Future research may develop and assess culturally relevant strategies to promote social support and reduce loneliness among marginalized immigrants.