Effects of Latinx Parental English Proficiency on Stress
Start Date
April 2020
End Date
April 2020
Major Field of Study
Global Public Health
Second Major
Psychology
Student Type
Undergraduate - Honors
Faculty Mentor(s)
Michaela George, MPH, PhD and Veronica Fruiht, PhD
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
In the US, parents with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) reported having more problems communicating with their child’s doctor and understanding medical situations. As a result, their children are more likely to have worse health care access and lifelong health outcomes than those who have parents with a High English Proficiency (HEP). Parents with LEP experience discrimination which can lead to increased psychological distress. The goal of this study is to determine if level of English Proficiency moderates the association between stress levels and discrimination among Latinx parents. Participants consisted of 25 Latinx parents in California. They were asked to complete a measure of stress levels using the Acute Stress Appraisals scale before and after an interview about the feelings and stresses associated with taking their children to the doctor and how they communicate with health care practitioners. After the interview, participants completed a survey that consisted of the Language Fluency Measure, the Adapted Everyday Discrimination Scale, and demographic questions. These surveys and the majority of the interviews were conducted in Spanish. Results are expected to demonstrate that parents with LEP have higher discrimination rates and higher stress levels than parents with HEP, which may lead to increased disparities in children’s future health outcomes. Parents with LEP are expected to have increased stress levels after the interview as compared to before. These findings can be used to provide resources for those who do not speak English at primary care settings and educating doctors on how to communicate with a diverse population.
Effects of Latinx Parental English Proficiency on Stress
In the US, parents with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) reported having more problems communicating with their child’s doctor and understanding medical situations. As a result, their children are more likely to have worse health care access and lifelong health outcomes than those who have parents with a High English Proficiency (HEP). Parents with LEP experience discrimination which can lead to increased psychological distress. The goal of this study is to determine if level of English Proficiency moderates the association between stress levels and discrimination among Latinx parents. Participants consisted of 25 Latinx parents in California. They were asked to complete a measure of stress levels using the Acute Stress Appraisals scale before and after an interview about the feelings and stresses associated with taking their children to the doctor and how they communicate with health care practitioners. After the interview, participants completed a survey that consisted of the Language Fluency Measure, the Adapted Everyday Discrimination Scale, and demographic questions. These surveys and the majority of the interviews were conducted in Spanish. Results are expected to demonstrate that parents with LEP have higher discrimination rates and higher stress levels than parents with HEP, which may lead to increased disparities in children’s future health outcomes. Parents with LEP are expected to have increased stress levels after the interview as compared to before. These findings can be used to provide resources for those who do not speak English at primary care settings and educating doctors on how to communicate with a diverse population.
Comments
This presentation was accepted for the Scholarly and Creative Works Conference at Dominican University of California. The Conference was canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic