Abstract
The process of adapting to a culture different from one’s own is multifaceted and interlaced with unique stressors for ethnic and cultural minorities. This study explored the acculturative stress experienced when individuals adjust their behaviors and beliefs in society. Moreover, the ecological and internal stressors encountered by minorities at disproportionate rates are examined from the perspective of acculturative stress, as well as the consequences of these stressors on mental health. The present study developed a structural equation model to test the efficacy of acculturative stress as a mediator of stressors (i.e., violence exposure and discrimination) on psychological well-being and depressive symptoms. Ultimately, acculturative stress functioned as a mediator between both community violence exposure and perceived discrimination on depressive symptoms. Acculturative stress operates as a mechanism through which ecological and internalized stressors can be harmful to ethnic minority mental health outcomes.