A multiple-group path analysis of the role of everyday discrimination on self-rated physical health among Latina/os in the USA.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have examined the psychosocial mechanisms through which self-reported discrimination may influence the health status of Latinos.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined the mediating role of subjective social status in the USA and psychological distress on the relation between everyday discrimination and self-rated physical health, and the moderating role of gender and ethnicity.


METHODS
A US population-based sample of Latinos (N = 2,554) was drawn from the National Latino and Asian American Study. Respondents completed measures of everyday discrimination, subjective social status, psychological distress, and self-rated physical health.


RESULTS
Path analysis revealed that among the total sample, subjective social status and psychological distress sequentially mediated the effect of everyday discrimination on self-rated physical health. Psychological distress was a more consistent mediator across Latino subgroups. Gender and ethnicity moderated the mediation model.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a systematic examination of how psychosocial mechanisms may operate differently or similarly across Latino subgroups.
Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Research Center, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA. kmolina@psy.miami.edu
Kristine M
KM
Molina
Margarita
M
Alegría
Ramaswami
R
Mahalingam
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D057566:Self Report; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012923:Social Class; D063508:Social Discrimination / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States