Marital Disruption and the Prevalence of Depressive Symptomatology among Anglos and Mexican Americans

Abstract

Depression symptom levels are reported among those in disrupted marital statuses, obtained in a cross-sectional field survey conducted in Santa Clara County, California [USA] in 1980. The ethnic variables used for purposes of analyses included Anglos and Mexican Amercians, with the latter group controlled for language use. Although those in disrupted marital statuses have higher symptom levels overall, specific differences among the ethnic subsamples were found. Divorce was highly associated with increased symptoms among Anglos. Separation was similarly associated with high symptom levels among Mexican Americans. Multiple regression analysis, indicated that educational attainment was the most consistent predictor of symptoms for all ethnic subsamples. A complex explanation for these differences is evidently warranted. Structural factors, associated with differing levels of social power among Anglos and Mexican Americans, are apparently dynamically related to the process of marital disruption and psychological distress.