Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Examining the Roles of Familism, Social Support, and Stigma in Latinx Caregivers

Background: Those caring for someone diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder are at risk of experiencing depression and anxiety. However, limited research has examined risk and predictive factors associated with internalizing symptomatology in caregivers from ethnic and culturally diverse backgrounds. Aims: We aimed to identify predictive factors for internalizing symptomatology. Methods: Using standardized scales, anxiety and depression levels were measured in a predominantly Latinx sample along with their endorsed levels of familism, perceived social, and support affiliate stigma. Multivariate regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses that familism, perceived social support, and affiliate stigma are associated with self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms, separately. Results: The results indicated a significant effect of perceived social support and affiliate stigma on depression and anxiety symptoms, but no such effect of familism. Findings indicate that higher perceived social support scores predicted lower rates of anxiety and depression in caregivers. Conversely, higher affiliate stigma scores predicted higher rates of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Results provide important clinical implications when working with Latinx families and caregivers of a family member diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder.