Distinct Cultural Identity Profiles and Psychological Outcomes among Mexican American College Students

Introduction Hispanic college students in the United States (U.S.) face unique stressors related to ethnic marginalization and racialization that may contribute to elevated mental health problems. National data indicate higher levels of depressive symptoms among Hispanic compared with non-Hispanic White emerging adults, with greater U.S. acculturation associated with increased psychiatric risk. Nonetheless, less is known about how cultural identity-based acculturation experiences relate to psychological health. Thus, we use latent profile analysis to identify distinct cultural identity configurations among Mexican American college students in Texas, and examine psychological outcomes across the resulting groups. Method Data were drawn from a cohort study of Mexican American college students at six public universities in Texas. Latent profile analysis used baseline data from 1,492 participants to identify profiles based on ethnic and American identity affirmation and two dimensions of bicultural identity integration: cultural harmony and blendedness. Resulting profiles were compared on Wave 2 psychological outcomes assessed six months later among 1,103 participants (M_age = 20.13, SD = 2.12; 69.5% female; 91.6% U.S.-born). Results Four distinct cultural identity profiles emerged: Marginalized (3.7%), Separated (6.4%), Moderate Bicultural (59.9%), and High Bicultural (30.1%). Psychological symptoms were highest in the Marginalized group, lowest in the High Bicultural group, and intermediate in the Separated and Moderate Bicultural groups. Conclusion Findings highlight meaningful heterogeneity in cultural identity patterns among Mexican American college students and suggest that strong identification with both cultures may be necessary, but not sufficient, for psychological health; the integration of these identities may represent an important factor associated with psychological adjustment.