Latinx Caregivers of LGBTQ People, Cultural Values, and Mental Health Outcomes

Studies have found that Latinx cultural values play a crucial role in the acceptance process of Latinx caregivers of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Guided by minority stress framework, in this study we quantitatively examine whether Latinx cultural values buffered the effects of acceptance on mental health outcomes among Latinx caregivers of LGBTQ people. In a national survey of 315 Latinx caregivers (age:M= 37.9; SD= 9.6) of LGBTQ people (age:M= 18.9, SD= 7.0), we assessed (a) the relation between acceptance, mental health outcomes (i.e., depression and anxiety), and Latinx cultural values (i.e., familism support, familism referents, respeto, religion, and traditional gender roles) and (b) whether Latinx cultural values buffered the effects of acceptance on mental health outcomes among Latinx caregivers of LGBTQ people. Main effect and moderation analyses were conducted. Findings revealed that (a) Latinx cultural values of family referents, religion, and traditional gender norms were associated with caregiver acceptance; (b) acceptance was a significant predictor of both lower depression and anxiety among caregivers; (c) Latinx cultural factors such as traditional gender roles were found to be predictive of higher depression and anxiety; and (d) Latinx cultural factors did not moderate the relationship between caregiver acceptance and mental health. Findings shed light on the important role of culture on acceptance and mental health outcomes among Latinx caregivers of LGBTQ people. We provide implications for working with Latinx caregivers of LGBTQ people such as using evidence-based interventions to unpack the role of Latinx culture.