Latino teens in the US feel much more affected by the discrimination-related stress they suffer than those residents born abroad. At least that is what the study carried out by New York University indicates. 

Approximately 173 Latino students from different institutes in New York City participated in this project, filling out surveys relating to the stress they suffered due to discrimination-related stress, symptoms of anxiety or depression and sleep patterns, three times between  10th and 12th grade.

The results, in addition to different symptoms depending on the age of those surveyed, revealed that “though there is no difference in the amount of stress related with the discrimination among US born immigrants and those born abroad, the effect of such stress, in time, is more damaging to the former”, Selcuk Sirin, Associate Professor of Psychology at New York University and in charge of the study, ensured. The possible explanation? In the opinion of those in charge of the investigation: youths born outside the country are more protected because they have a greater bond with their Latino inheritance. Data that must certainly be taken into account. Even more so considering that the Latino community is experiencing a large and rapid growth in the country, representing 15 percent of its population (and nearly one out of every three is an adolescent). Unfortunately, however, teens are not the only ones suffering from some type of discrimination. The study also highlights that nearly half of the adults acknowledge that they too feel discrimination on a daily basis.

“The people who work with them should know the damaging effects that discrimination has on mental health of people, especially those born in the US. Awareness regarding the role played by discrimination-related stress can help professionals be more sensitive, and also more effective, in their efforts to assist in the development of Latino youths”, Sirin concluded.