Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology

Major Professor

Kirsten A. Gonzalez

Committee Members

Kirsten A. Gonzalez, Gina Owens, Cristina Barroso, Cynthia Navarro Flores, Cristalis Capielo Rosario

Abstract

Health disparities disproportionately impact Latines in the United States (NIH, 2017). Trauma is one factor known to contribute to health disparities (Sowder et al., 2018). Trauma can include interpersonal level (e.g., adverse childhood experiences) and/or community level experiences (social determinants of health). In research, Latines are commonly erroneously considered a homogenous group despite vast differences in sociocultural identities (Cardeña et al., 2021). The current study expands Latine trauma literature by using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA; Spurk et al., 2020) to 1) investigate heterogeneity in combinations of interpersonal- and community-level trauma exposures and 2) examine how profiles relate to health symptom endorsement. LPA yielded four distinct profiles (Profile 1 lowest interpersonal – lowest community; Profile 2 medium interpersonal – high community; Profile 3 highest interpersonal – highest community; Profile 4 high interpersonal – low community). Profiles 1, 2, and 3, consistent with prior literature, demonstrated an incremental relationship whereby higher interpersonal trauma paired with higher community level trauma. Profile 4’s deviation from previous findings with high interpersonal combined with low community trauma exposures. Profile 3 endorsed significantly higher physical symptoms compared to Profile 1. All four Profiles endorsed mild symptoms on the PHQ-4. Trans individuals were more likely to be in Profile 3. There were no other significant differences between profiles. Findings suggest a need to continue exploring heterogeneity in Latine samples, combining levels of trauma exposures to assess impact on health, and pursue future avenues of trauma prevention and intervention work.

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