The Effect of Cultural Stress and Gender Norms on Hazardous Alcohol Use, Depression, and Anxiety Among U.S. Latino Immigrant Parents

Cultural stress (perceived discrimination and negative context of reception) and gender norms (machismo and caballerismo) may influence alcohol use and mental health among Latino immigrants, yet their effects on parents and potential moderation remain understudied. This study examined the effects of cultural stress and gender norms, as well as the moderating role of gender norms, on hazardous alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms among 1,351 U.S. Latino immigrant parents of children aged 8 to 16 years (62% female; M age = 39.8). Data were collected via an online panel survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to estimate a latent cultural stress construct, and hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to assess associations and moderation effects. Cultural stress (β = 0.54, p < .001), machismo (β = 0.22, p < .001), and caballerismo (β = –0.11, p < .001) were associated with hazardous alcohol use. Machismo amplified (β = 0.61, p < .001), while caballerismo buffered (β = –0.47, p = .003) the association between cultural stress and hazardous alcohol use. Cultural stress was also associated with depressive (β = 0.42, p < .001) and anxiety symptoms (β = 0.40, p < .001). Machismo was related to greater depressive (β = 0.11, p < .001) and anxiety symptoms (β = 0.13, p < .001) and moderated the effect of cultural stress on anxiety (β = 0.23, p = .001). Findings underscore the need for culturally grounded alcohol use and mental health prevention interventions addressing cultural stressors and gender norms among Latino families.