Abstract
This study explores how ethnic identity, national identity, and cultural stress interact to impact mental health among Latino youth and their parents, using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). By analyzing survey data from Latino parent-youth dyads, we assessed both individual (actor) and cross-dyadic (partner) effects of identity and cultural stress on mental health outcomes. The APIMeM framework allowed us to examine whether cultural stress mediates the relationship between identity factors and mental health. Results revealed significant actor effects, with higher levels of cultural stress associated with increased mental health distress in both parents (beta = 0.65, p < 0.001) and youth (beta = 0.32, p < 0.001). Ethnic identity did not demonstrate significant actor or partner effects on either cultural stress or mental health. In contrast, stronger national identity was inversely related to youth mental health distress (beta = -0.11, p = 0.01) and had a significant protective partner effect on parental mental health (beta = -0.16, p = 0.02). However, cultural stress did not mediate the relationship between ethnic identity and mental health. These findings underscore the importance of national identity and interdependent family dynamics in shaping mental health outcomes within Latino families experiencing cultural stress.