Acculturation and clinical symptoms of schizophrenia among Latine adults in the United States.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Research on acculturation and schizophrenia spectrum disorders has yielded inconsistent findings. This study aimed to clarify the influence of acculturation on symptomatology in Latine individuals with schizophrenia in the United States. METHODS: The analysis involved cross-sectional data from Latine (n = 120) and non-Latine White (n = 60) adults with schizophrenia in San Diego, California. Participants completed the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH), Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in their preferred language. Univariate linear regressions were implemented to identify proxy measures as predictors of acculturation scores. Analyses of variance were conducted to analyze the relationship of SASH scores and proxy measures of acculturation to symptom severity. RESULTS: Latine participants presented more symptom severity than non-Latine Whites. When categorized by acculturation status (Spanish-preferring, bicultural, and English-preferring), Spanish-preferring participants presented similar psychiatric symptoms to the non-Latine group and less severe symptoms than both other Latine groups. Analyses identified study language as the strongest proxy measure for the SASH. Latine participants assessed in English had significantly worse positive and depressive symptoms than those assessed in Spanish. Nativity status moderated the relationship between study language and symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support an association between acculturation and symptom severity among Latine individuals with schizophrenia. The use of proxy measures of acculturation may be useful in settings where time is constrained. Future research should continue to explore acculturation and symptomatology in Latine communities.