Latina Adolescent Resilience Rooted Within Cultural Strengths

Abstract

This book provides an overview of research on the mental health of Latina adolescents in the United States with emphasis on those cultural constructs and theories with relevance for assessment, prevention, and interventions for depression and suicide. We include both protective factors and risk factors in order to provide a balanced understanding of the experience of Latinas. This approach may also help researchers and service providers to find avenues to prevent depression and suicide by building on girls' internal and cultural strengths. This chapter provides a framing of the historical and current situation of Latina adolescent depressive symptoms and suicide attempts at national levels. Chapter 2 summarizes the most common theories of depression and suicidality. We use previous theories to help provide insight into the factors that may lead to depression and suicide. Chapter 3 then introduces a multiracial feminist framework that provides an ecodevelopmental resilience view of young Latinas. Chapter 3 also describes the current research on protective factors within ecological contexts. Chapter 4 extends our discussion on how positive development can be derailed for Latina girls by risk factors at micro-, meso-, and macroecological levels. Finally, Chap. 5 provides recommendations for researchers, clinicians, and schools about how they can help prevent and intervene among Latina adolescent populations with issues of depression and suicide. Our ultimate goal is to critically think through the epidemic of Latina adolescent suicide attempts and to motivate individuals to action that can help improve and save the lives of Latina adolescents in the United States. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)