Depression and Gender Roles among Hispanic Immigrant Women: Examining Associations of Gender Egalitarianism, Marianismo, and Self- Silencing

Abstract

Background: Efforts in the prevention and treatment of depression among Hispanic immigrant women require studies to identify modifiable factors of depression. Some factors that may merit investigation are gender roles such as egalitarian gender attitudes, marianismo, and self-silencing. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 231 Hispanic immigrant women living in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Logistic regression was used to examine associations of covariates, egalitarian gender attitudes, marianismo, and self-silencing in relation to depression. Results: Egalitarian gender attitudes were not associated with depression. For marianismo domains, higher scores on the spiritual pillar scale were associated with lower odds of depression. With regard to self-silencing, higher scores on externalizing self-perception and divided self were associated with higher odds of depression. Conclusions: Findings add to the limited literature on depression among Hispanic immigrants and provides some insight on sociocultural factors that may be considered in depression interventions for Hispanic immigrant women.