Depression and smoking are often closely linked. Emotional, sexual or physical abuse, conflict, genetic disposition, and personal issues can all prompt or contribute to depression. And smoking can be ignited by peer pressure, risk-taking behavior, genetic predisposition, and a desire for stress relief. A newly published study has identified a particular common link between smoking and depression, and claims that acculturation is associated with depression and the use of tobacco among Latinos.

In the study, "Towards an Integrated Understanding of Latino/a Acculturation, Depression, and Smoking: A Gendered Analysis," Dr. Elma I. Lorenzo-Blanco and Lilia M. Cortina examined the increase of major depressive disorder (MDD) and cigarette smoking as Latinos become more acclimated to U.S. culture. The study presented information regarding gender, culture, discrimination and familismo to see how it drives depression and smoking in Latinos. The national, community-based household survey included 2,554 Latinos, and questioned participants on daily interactions, depression, and terms of cigarette use.

Lorenzo-Blanco, an assistant professor in the field of clinical and community psychology and co-conductor of the research, spoke with Latin Post about the study and its intentions. Lorenzo-Blanco explained the layered definition of the term acculturation, and how acculturation is connected to a range of health problems — not just mental health — as it relates to the Latino community. Lorenzo-Blanco also stated that the stress derived from acculturation is motivated by pressure gained from navigating different cultural contexts, and that the anxiety of having to master two worlds leads to depression and smoking. While neither depression nor smoking is something that all Latinos will succumb to, recognizing who's more prone to these behaviors can prove to be preventive for others in the future, as researchers will be able to clearly pinpoint which factors — such as socioeconomic status, discrimination, acceptance — most affect the health of Latinos.

"I am an immigrant, not only in the United States, but I'm a child of immigrants," said Lorenzo-Blanco, who has a background in clinical and community psychology and women's studies. "I grew up in Germany, but I have a Spanish background. So, this idea of acculturation, of navigating different cultural contexts, personally makes sense. To my own life experiences it makes sense. It's effective. I know it matters, and the literature speaks to that as well."

The researcher stated the difference between acculturation and assimilation in academic settings is that assimilation occurs when immigrants must Americanize and disengage from their own culture, never learn, or forget, their native tongue, and devour American ideas and values. Acculturation is different, in that it suggests biculturalism, adopting elements of American culture, being proficient in English and one's native language, and being able to navigate both. Biculturalism and acculturation have become more conceptualized among academics. Acculturation is multidimensional, and in many ways includes elements of enculturation, familismo and U.S. cultural practices and values. These things can be juggled, and are not mutually exclusive.

According to Lorenzo-Blanco, those who assimilate are at lower risk of depression and smoking. While being acculturated and bicultural is the preferred way to blend, the experiences are most related to the development of depressive behaviors, and consequently suicide — which is at an all-time high for Latinas.