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Latino teens and their parents benefit from biculturalism, a UNC Chapel Hill study shows. Young Latinos who embrace their heritage, and whose parents are more involved in U.S. culture, were shown to have higher self-esteem and experience less anxiety, depression and substance abuse.

The study’s co-author, Martica Bacallao, Ph.D., remarked:

“It is interesting that, in order to obtain these benefits of biculturalism, adolescents and parents often need to do the opposite of what their natural tendencies tell them. Parents who are strongly tied to their native cultures must reach out to learn skills in the new culture. Adolescents who quickly soak up new cultural behaviors should slow down and cultivate the richness in their native cultures.”

In other words, acculturation is not a black or white matter, either wholly rejecting the former Latino culture or accepting the new American one. A healthy balance of recognizing both can help Latino youth moderate the stress they feel trying to please both sides.

Read the full report here.