Abstract
Latinas experience multiple oppressions and poorer mental health compared to other individuals due to their often triple minority status as poor, female, women of color. The purpose of this study was to examine whether identifying with both Mexican culture and the dominant culture (bicultural), having high ethnic identity, identifying with both feminine and masculine behavior (androgynous gender role), and having family social support predicted life satisfaction and positive affect in low socioeconomic status, Mexican and Mexican American women. One hundred ninety-four low socioeconomic status females of Mexican descent were included in this study. Results indicated that ethnic identity and social support from family had a predictive value concerning Mexican and Mexican American women's life satisfaction. Ethnic identity, gender roles, and social support from family had predictive value concerning positive affect. Social support from family was the most significant predictor of life satisfaction and positive affect. Additionally, women who identified with feminine or androgynous gender role had higher positive affect than women who identified with a masculine gender role. Lastly, women who had low acculturation had higher life satisfaction and higher positive affect than women who had high acculturation or women who identified with both the Mexican and dominant culture equally. Implications of the results and suggests for future research are discussed.