The Effects of Language Brokering Frequency and Feelings on Mexican-Heritage Youth's Mental Health and Risky Behaviors

Language brokering is the communication process where individuals with no formal training (often children of immigrant families) linguistically mediate for 2 or more parties (usually adult family members and individuals from mainstream culture). This study examined the direct and indirect effects of language brokering on mental health and risky behaviors. Mexican-heritage youth (N = 684) from schools in Phoenix, AZ, completed surveys at 3 waves from 7th through 8th grades. Language brokering frequency and negative brokering feelings were positively associated with family-based acculturation stress, which was positively associated with alcohol use and other risky behaviors. Yet, brokering frequency was negatively associated with other risky behaviors, and positive brokering feeling was negatively associated with cigarette use. Implications for these findings are discussed.