Research examining the psychosocial correlates of mental and behavioral health among Latinx populations during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. This is problematic given that Latinx communities in the U.S. find themselves at the intersection of worse COVID-19-related mortality, mental health distress, and health outcomes. These COVID-19 related disparities came at a time when U.S. Latinxs were already experiencing a disproportionate burden of mental health and substance use disease. Health disparities research has largely focused on Latinxs as a monolithic group, yet in doing so, the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on health are overlooked. It is critical to understand the mental health needs of Latinxs in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic as well as the challenges and potential barriers to services experienced by these communities to better meet their unique needs. Therefore, Study 1 aimed to investigate differences on pandemic-related stressors along economic, emotional, and physical domains, psychological distress, and substance use, based on Latinx ethnicity. The second aim of Study 1 was to identify the most significant pandemic-related stressors and challenges faced by specific Latinx subgroups. Study 2 built off of the results from Study 1. Specifically, Study 2 investigated the association between pandemic-related economic, emotional, and physical stressors examined in Study 1 to various health and mental health outcomes including, psychological distress, alcohol use, and drug use, reported during the pandemic by different Latinx ethnic groups.

Despite the growing numbers of foreign-born Latina young adult immigrants in the United States, this population is underrepresented in psychological science. Building upon previous literature, this study examines the moderating effect of acculturation and enculturation on the relationship between depression and alcohol use quantity and frequency among 530 young Latina women (ages 18-23 years) who recently immigrated to the United States (i.e., approximately 12 months prior to assessment). Acculturation (i.e., the process of immersion into

another culture) lessened the positive link between depression and alcohol use quantity and frequency. Those with higher levels of acculturation reported less symptoms of depression and alcohol use. Enculturation (i.e., the process of immersion to one’s own ethnic culture) increased the positive link between depression and alcohol quantity and frequency. Implications for culturally competent counseling for this underserved and understudied population are discussed.