Understanding the Link Between Discrimination, Mental Health Outcomes, and Life Chances Among Latinos

Abstract

Discriminatory experiences have been found to be related to poor mental health outcomes and negative life chances among marginalized communities in the United States. However, little is known about the impact of perceived discrimination on the Latino population. The present article reviews and critiques existing empirical evidence linking perceived discrimination to life chances and mental health outcomes among Latinos. The gaps in the literature reveal that most of the discrimination research was conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s, focused on Mexicans, and excluded other Latino/Hispanic populations, such as Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. The findings of this study will help to inform the understanding of the discriminatory experiences of Latinos in the United States.