Cultural Stress, Psychopathology, and Well-Being Among Latinos: A Two Continua Model Approach

Latinos in the USA experience myriad cultural stressors that increase their risk for experiencing psychopathology. Whereas most Latino-focused research has conceptualized psychopathology and well-being as existing on opposite ends of the same continuum, the Two Continua Model of mental health suggests that well-being and psychopathology are independent dimensions that have distinct risk and protective factors. In the present, study, we tested the Two Continua Model among a large sample of Latinos in the USA to assess (a) whether cultural stress differentially related to psychopathology and well-being, and (b) whether intrapersonal (distress tolerance) and interpersonal (perceived social support) protective factors moderated these associations differently. Participants were 800 Latino adults in Texas (50% women; ages 18-65) who completed measures of cultural stress; psychopathology (depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation); well-being (life satisfaction, happiness, flourishing); and protective factors (distress tolerance, perceived social support). Using structural equation modeling, cultural stress was significantly associated with greater psychopathology but was not significantly associated with well-being. Distress tolerance and perceived social support buffered the link between cultural stress and psychopathology, but neither moderated the association between cultural stress and well-being. Results support the Two Continua Model by showing that psychopathology and well-being follow distinct pathways each with unique protective factors. Findings highlight the need for clinicians to address both dimensions of mental health when working with Latinos and may inform intervention by helping practitioners to make decisions on whether to emphasize symptom reduction, well-being promotion, or a combination of the two.