Citation
Ward, Julia B.; Vines, Anissa I.; Haan, Mary N.; Fernandez-Rhodes, Lindsay; Miller, Erline E.; & Aiello, Allison E. (2019). Spanish Language Use across Generations and Depressive Symptoms among US Latinos. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 50(1), 61-71. PMCID: PMC6309758Abstract
Acculturation markers, such as language use, have been associated with Latino depression. Language use may change between generations; however, few studies have collected intergenerational data to assess how language differences between generations impact depression. Using the Ninos Lifestyle and Diabetes Study (2013-2014), we assessed how changes in Spanish language use across two generations of Mexican-origin participants in Sacramento, California, influenced offspring depressive symptoms (N = 603). High depressive symptoms were defined as CESD-10 scores >/= 10. We used log-binomial and linear-binomial models to calculate prevalence ratios and differences, respectively, for depressive symptoms by language use, adjusting for identified confounders and within-family clustering. Decreased Spanish use and stable-equal English/Spanish use across generations protected against depressive symptoms, compared to stable-high Spanish use. Stable-low Spanish use was not associated with fewer depressive symptoms compared to stable-high Spanish use. Exposure to multiple languages cross-generationally may improve resource access and social networks that protect against depression.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10578-018-0820-xReference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2019Journal Title
Child Psychiatry and Human DevelopmentAuthor(s)
Ward, Julia B.Vines, Anissa I.
Haan, Mary N.
Fernandez-Rhodes, Lindsay
Miller, Erline E.
Aiello, Allison E.
PMCID
PMC6309758ORCiD
Aiello - 0000-0001-7029-2537Fernandez-Rhodes - 0000-0001-6985-423X