CONCEPTUALIZING ETHNICITY. HOW DIMENSIONS OF ETHNICITY AFFECT DISPARITIES IN HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG LATINXS IN THE UNITED STATES

Background: This study considers how attributional and relational dimensions of ethnicity affect Latinxs' health outcomes. Methods: Using regression methods to analyze data from the 2006 Portraits of American Life Study, we examined how attributional and relational dimensions of ethnicity affect: 1) intragroup diticrences in Latinx mental and physical health status, as measured by feelings of worthlessness and self-rated health, respectively; and 2) intergroup differences between Latinxs and non-Hispanic Whites in these health outcomes. Results: Latinxs have higher odds of feelings of worthlessness and lower odds of self-reporting good/excellent health compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Additionally, intragroup differences in health are observed among Latinxs, conditioned on attributional or relational dimensions of ethnicity. Conclusion: Multidimensional measures of ethnicity that distinguish between characteristics associated with ethnicity (attributional) or race (relational) offer a nuanced explanation of health disparities by revealing aspects of ethnicity that shape health outcomes differently, contributing to the goals of health equity.