Mental health symptoms and discrimination among immigrant and US-born Hispanic or Latino adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Mental health symptoms are highly stigmatized, potentially increasing the risk of experiencing discrimination, particularly within minoritized communities such as Hispanic or Latino populations. Thus, stigmatizing views of mental health symptoms may exacerbate exposure to experiencing discrimination, including xenophobia. The Hispanic or Latino population has increasingly been vulnerable to mental health symptoms since the COVID-19 pandemic and has historically faced persistent discrimination. However, few studies have explored associations between mental health symptoms and discrimination, especially when accounting for and stratifying by birthplace. This study estimates the prevalence of discrimination by mental health symptoms among Hispanic or Latino individuals in the United States (US). It also examines the associations between mental health symptoms and discrimination, stratified by birthplace.

Methods: A national online cross-sectional survey was distributed between May 13, 2021, and January 9, 2022, among US adults (N = 5,413). The analytical sample included Hispanic or Latino individuals (n = 1,126) who were US-born (n = 625) and foreign-born (n = 501). Chi-square tests were used to assess bivariate differences in everyday discrimination (measured with the Everyday Discrimination Scale). Polytomous logistic regressions were conducted to examine everyday discrimination and its correlates, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Results: A higher proportion of Hispanic or Latino individuals reported experiencing discrimination daily or weekly (38.19%) compared to monthly (16.25%). Discrimination was more frequently reported among US-born individuals as well as those with anxiety, depression, anxiety/depression, and a higher level of loneliness. Foreign-born individuals were significantly less likely to experience discrimination compared to their US-born counterparts. Anxiety/depression and loneliness were associated with higher risks of experiencing discrimination. In analyses stratified by birthplace, loneliness was a significant risk factor for discrimination among both groups. Anxiety/depression was a significant risk factor only among US-born individuals.

Conclusions: Mental health symptoms and birthplace were significantly associated with experiences of discrimination among Hispanic or Latino individuals, with more pronounced risks for US-born individuals. These findings highlight birthplace-related disparities and broader disparities in mental health and discrimination within the growing US Hispanic or Latino population. More research should explore potential mechanisms for bidirectional associations between mental health symptoms and discrimination among minoritized communities.