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Depression in the barrio: An analysis of the risk and protective nature of cultural values among Mexican American substance users

Depression in the barrio: An analysis of the risk and protective nature of cultural values among Mexican American substance users

Authors :
Michelle R. Klawans
Patrick S. Bordnick
Luis R. Torres
Yi Ren
McClain Sampson
Yolanda R. Villarreal
Angela L. Stotts
Source :
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. 18:150-164
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
Informa UK Limited, 2017.

Abstract

Understanding the effect of cultural values on depression and how social networks influence these relationships may be important in the treatment of substance-using, Mexican American populations. Latino cultural values, familismo, personalismo, fatalismo, and machismo, may be associated with depression among Latinos. The current study identified the association of traditional Latino values on depressive symptomatology among a sample of Mexican American heroin injectors. A cross-sectional research design and field-intensive outreach methodology were utilized to recruit 227 Mexican American men. Participants were categorized into depressed and nondepressed groups. Relations among cultural values and depression were examined using logistic regression. Findings indicate that drug-using men with higher familismo and fatalismo scores are protected against depressive symptomatology. Relations between familismo and depression seem to be moderated by having a drug use network. In addition, findings reveal that age is inversely related to depressive symptomatology. Young Mexican American heroin users who do not ascribe to traditional Latino values may be highly associated with depression and therefore more vulnerable to riskier drug use behaviors. Moreover, drug-using social networks may affect the protective nature of certain cultural values. Further research is needed to identify whether culturally tailored treatments can cultivate these values while simultaneously undermining the effect of substance-using social networks in order to reduce depression symptoms among this group of high-risk substance users.

Details

ISSN :
15332659 and 15332640
Volume :
18
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....5745f1bffef164c668d4761dfaea870c
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2017.1316222