Research Paper Summaries

Stress Spillover Among Mother-Adolescent Dyads in Mexican Immigrant Families: How It Varies from Early to Late Adolescence

Authors: Wen Wen, Ashley Janyn Galvan, Ka I. Ip, Yang Hou, Shanting Chen, Su Yeong Kim

Summary: This study investigates the transmission of sociocultural stress across generations among Mexican immigrant mothers and adolescents and the development over early and late adolescence, respectively. Underpinning Family Systems Theory and frameworks on stress spillover, the research investigates the bi-directional impact of stress, particularly cultural misfit, foreigner stress, and financial pressure, on internalization symptoms, particularly depression and anxiety. Using a longitudinal data set with 604 adolescents and 595 mothers in Texas, we estimated time-varying effect models (TVEM) for three waves spanning a period of five years. Results reveal an asymmetric transmission of stress: adolescents’ sociocultural stress had a greater impact on the mental health of their mothers than the reverse. Specifically, adolescent experiences of cultural misfit and foreigner stress predicted higher maternal anxiety and depression in early adolescence (ages 11.5–13.9). Adolescent-perceived financial pressure corresponded with maternal anxiety during mid adolescence (ages 14–17.9). In contrast, maternal stress corresponded negligibly or not with adolescents’ psychological outcomes. These findings are in contradiction with the prevailing belief that adolescents' psychological well-being is primarily predicted by the mother's level of stress. However, adolescents, especially in immigrant families, are a significant predictor for mothers' well-being, with specific impact of stress varying with developmental stage. This study highlights the value of timing in assessing the processes involved in family tension and suggests that intervention initiatives highlight adolescents' experiences, particularly in early adolescence and mid-adolescence. Some limitations are a geographically limited sample, exclusion of fathers, and narrow measures of financial distress. Future studies must incorporate diversity in forms of families and test moderating variables such as gender, closeness, and gaps in acculturation. In conclusion, the study highlights the significant impact of adolescent stress on mothers' mental well-being, with an imperative for youth-specific strategies in promoting the wellbeing of immigrant families.

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