Ethnic Variations in the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Psychological Distress Among Latino Adults

This study investigated the association between SES and psychological distress among Latinos. Data were from the National
Latino and Asian American Study’s Cuban (N = 577), Mexican (N = 868), and Puerto Rican (N = 495) adult samples. Regression analysis was used to assess the association between SES measured as education, household
income, and wealth and psychological distress for three Latino subgroups, respectively. Results indicate that wealth is the
most important predictor for all three Latino groups. Cubans, Mexicans, and Puerto Ricans are all disadvantaged on wealth
possession and being in debt is associated with more psychological distress for them. The health benefit of wealth is especially
significant for Cubans and Puerto Ricans. In contrast with findings in many previous studies, household income is not significantly
related to mental health. The finding that only wealth is weakly associated with psychological distress among Mexicans suggests
that the Hispanic Health Paradox only applies to Mexicans. Education is strongly associated with distress among Cubans, with
college degrees producing the largest protection from mental illness. Findings also indicate that physical health and discrimination
are strongly associated with psychological distress independent of the SES measures. This study contributes to an understanding
of the health significance of SES among Latinos. It highlights the importance of examining ethnic variations in the association
of socioeconomic status and mental health among Latinos and of identifying the mental health impact of various measures of
socioeconomic status.