Shielding against adversity: The impact of social support on heavy-drinking Hispanic young adult depression and anxiety.

Abstract

Hispanic young adults in the United States exhibit high rates of depression, anxiety, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). A positive association exists between ACEs, depression, and anxiety among Hispanics. It is unknown if social support subtypes moderate the relationship between ACEs, depression, and anxiety. Data from 260 heavy-drinking Hispanic young adults, ages 19-30, were collected via various platforms (e.g., social media, web panels, flyering). We assessed for ACEs, domains of social support, depression, and anxiety. Ordinary least square regression models tested the main effects of ACEs and social support on depression and anxiety symptoms. We then performed moderation analyses to test if high levels of social support subtypes weakened the relationship between ACEs, depression, and anxiety. Participants were mostly cisgender women (59.6%), "Mexican, Mexican American, or Chicano" (61%), and second generation (84.1%). Participants' mean age was 24.39 (SD = 3.069). Main effects models showed that ACEs were positively associated with depression; social support subtypes were negatively associated with depression. The social support total and tangible support scales moderated the relationship between ACEs and depression. The main effects models showed total social support, emotional/informational, and social companionship association with anxiety were negative. Social support total, tangible, social companionship, and affectionate support moderated the relationship between ACEs and anxiety symptoms. Across all moderations, tangible support explained most of the variance; specifically, the effect of tangible support on depression/anxiety lessened when people experienced greater ACEs. This adds to our understanding of how specific types of support buffer the relationship between ACEs, depression, and anxiety. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).