Presenter(s): Yomaira Tarula-Aranda—Ethnic Studies and Spanish
Faculty Mentor(s): Heather McClure
Session 5.5: McNair Scholars Presentations
The Latinx population is the largest and fastest-growing minority in the United States, and also has growing rates of poor mental and physical health . This research explores how stress is very prevalent among Latinx emerging adults (aged 18–23 years old) and potential contributing factors . Stress is related to an assortment of negative outcomes including development of poor mental and physical health and other outcomes . This research uses data from the Latinx Emerging Adults Project’s Emerging Adult & Peer Survey created by the Center for Equity Promotion in the University of Oregon’s College of Education . To measure stress, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure the frequency, severity and perceived control individuals have over daily stressors within the previous 1-month period . Higher PSS scores have been linked to risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and elevation in stress hormones . Analyses explored potential differences in Latinx emerging adults’ PSS scores by different socio-demographic characteristics . Results will be presented and discussed in relation to the potential risks confronting Latinx emerging adults of stress-related poor health .