background and demographic factors were selected for study because all of them had been associated with acculturation stress and/or depression in previous research (see: Vega, Kolody & Valle's, 1985). However, although the selected demographic and background variables had been found to be associated with depression and/or acculturation stress, more research needed to be conducted.
The reason for the need for further research on these variables was because, as noted by Rogler, Cortes and Malgady (1991), most of the studies conducted to examine the mental health status of Hispanic immigrants did not attempt to separate Hispanic groups into distinct cultural backgrounds, e.g. Cubans only, Central Americans only, Mexicans only, and so forth.
In addition, much of the information about Hispanics is based on research dealing exclusively with a Mexican and/or Mexican-American population. Rogler et al. point
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