Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

2-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Psychology

Advisor

H. Jonathon Rendina

Advisor

Christopher Stults

Committee Members

Danielle Berke

Gabriel Robles

Carlos Rodríguez-Díaz

Subject Categories

Health Psychology | Multicultural Psychology | Social Psychology

Keywords

Hispanic MSM, Latino SMM, HIV, Acculturation, Acculturative Stress, Migration, Immigration, Mental Health, LGBT

Abstract

This dissertation expands Minority Stress Theory (MST) by integrating the Fourfold Acculturation Model (FAM) to examine the impact of psycho-sociocultural stressors on health outcomes among immigrant Hispanic sexual minority men (HSMM) in the U.S. The study explored how language proficiency, acculturative stress, discrimination in healthcare, migration-related trauma, and stress-related growth influence HIV prevention behaviors and mental health. Survey data from 194 Spanish-speaking immigrant HSMM revealed that monolingual Spanish speakers experienced significantly higher acculturative stress than bilinguals. Acculturative stress significantly mediated the association between stressors and health outcomes, such as HIV testing and mental health symptoms. Discrimination and trauma were directly associated with poor mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety, though PrEP use was not consistently reduced. These findings highlight the unique intersection of stressors affecting immigrant HSMM and underscore the need for culturally competent interventions. This dissertation offers a comprehensive framework integrating MST with FAM, providing critical insights into the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population and informing public health strategies to reduce health inequities.

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