Sociocultural Contextual Stressors, Cultural Values, and Psychological Distress Among Mexican-Origin Fathers

Understanding the potential protective effects of cultural values is particularly relevant for studies on Mexican-origin fathers who are at risk for exposure to multiple sociocultural contextual stressors, such as immigrant- and ethnic-based discrimination and acculturative pressure. According to stress and coping frameworks, stressors may undermine parenting through psychological dysfunction. Using a community sample of Mexican-origin biological fathers (N = 85) of 3–6-year-old children, this study aimed to test the linkages between sociocultural contextual stressors and psychological distress and consider whether cultural values, namely, familismo, respeto, and caballerismo, moderate these associations. Findings from hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that immigrant-based discrimination stress was positively related to psychological distress only when fathers strongly endorsed familismo and respeto. In addition, a positive relationship between economic hardship and psychological distress existed only when fathers endorsed high levels of familismo. Examining how culturally specific risks and strengths inform future clinical work serving Mexican-origin fathers and families is discussed.