The mental health status of young Hispanic women residing along the border: A twin cities comparison

A number of studies report comparisons among ethnic/racial groups in terms of health attitudes, health practices, and socioeconomic and mental health status. Of special concern is the mental health status and coping potential of young women of childbearing age because of the special vulnerability of individuals in this group and the vulnerability of their children. The wel l-being of future generations is at stake when maladaptive functioning comp ounded by severe social conditions create a climate for inadequate growth a nd development for large numbers in a population, even for short periods of time. This paper reports the results of a study examining self concepts an d mental health status of two distinct populations within one ethnic group- young Hispanic women living on the U.S. side of the Texas-Mexico border ver sus a similar sample of young Hispanic women living on the Mexico side. Wit hin each sample, the never-pregnant versus ever-pregnant adolescents were c ompared. The young women in both groups reported intense feelings related t o emotional distress. The young women in Ciudad Juarez reported somewhat mo re positive feelings related to recent well-being. The El Paso women report ed a less traditionally feminine persona (they felt more aggressive, confid ent, successful, energetic, and successful), yet they experienced less happ iness, hopefulness, and life satisfaction. However, neither group could be described as reporting positive mental status and those women who had been pregnant were no different than their never-pregnant counterparts. Rather, the results signal serious problems throughout the two populations. Health care and social service workers must recognize and be prepared to address i ntense personal distresses in both of these young, Hispanic-female, border populations.