(PS4-A19) The Buffering Effect of Familism on Latinx Adolescents’ Internalizing Symptomatology

Latinx groups in the U.S. experience disparities in mental health disorder prevalence, service quality, and care outcomes, with Latinx youth generally reporting more internalizing symptoms than their White, non-Latinx counterparts. Given the rapid demographic growth of Latinx youth and their heightened risk for internalizing disorders, culturally relevant and mindful avenues to improve mental health treatment quality is crucial. Evidence-based interventions that integrate cultural beliefs have shown promise in alleviating internalizing symptoms, particularly in Latinx populations. In Latinx adults, research broadly suggests that familism, a cultural value, is protective against internalizing problems and promotes positive mental health outcomes. In Latinx youth, the literature on familism and internalizing symptoms is mixed. Specifically, familism has been found to support self-esteem and adjustment, and to buffer against acculturative stress, internalizing symptoms, and depression risk. Conversely, familism has been linked to more psychological distress, internalizing behaviors, and depressive symptoms. This study sought to identify culturally relevant predictors of internalizing symptoms in a diverse, community-based sample of U.S. Latinx adolescents aged 11 – 16 years (N = 91). We hypothesized that youth who reported more familism beliefs (i.e., attitudinal familism) would report less depressive symptoms. Participants completed the Attitudinal Familism Scale (AFS) and the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire-Short Form (MFQ). Participants reported elevated depressive symptoms on the MFQ (M = 12.38, SD = 4.56, range = 0 - 20), indicating potentially clinical levels of depression (scores > 8). A hierarchical multiple regression was utilized to determine if the addition of attitudinal familism, as captured by the AFS, would predict depressive symptoms over and above age, SES, and discrimination. The full model with attitudinal familism did significantly predict depressive symptoms, R2 = .24, F(4, 86) = 6.66, p = .008, adjusted R2 = .20. The addition of attitudinal familism led to a statistically significant increase in R2 of .07, F(1, 86) = 7.38, p = .008, such that an increase in attitudinal familism was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms β = -.09, t(86) = 3.31, p = .008. As expected, familism beliefs were negatively associated with adolescent depressive symptoms. Results are consistent with previous research that have largely examined adult, emerging adult, and Mexican-American youth populations. Our findings critically extend the literature to a racially and ethnically diverse sample of Latinx adolescents with elevated risk for depression, while accounting for systemic structural factors that commonly contribute to racial and ethnic mental health disparities (i.e., SES, discrimination). Clinical implications include improving treatment quality for Latinx adolescents reporting depressive symptoms via assessment, facilitation, and reinforcement of familism attitudes and behaviors. Preventative implications include further elucidating and centering cultural processes that are often a source of joy, ethnic pride, and resilience in Latinx youth, their families, and their communities.