Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

Opposite page: Teen in front of mirror: Adobe Stock/Itxu; Teen in mirror: Adobe Stock /Armin Staudt; Cloth: Adobe Stock/Byron Ortiz reports increased emotional regulation and curios ity about the trajectory of his recovery. However, he struggles with familial alienation, particularly from his mother, whom he has not spoken to in four months. He reports that his mother attributes his mental illness to ‘bad genes’ from his maternal lineage. This belief has led to strained relationships, leaving Brian to find emotional refuge in his siblings and grandparents, particularly his grandmother, Lordis, who acts as his guardian. Abstract T his case study explores the intersecting male client. Drawing from contemporary literature on acculturation, internalized racism and generational trauma, the study examines Brian’s desire to disassociate from his Hispanic identity and the psychological implications of familial rejection tied to his mental health diagnosis. The analysis further contextualizes these experiences within the broader scope of immigration policy, systemic racism and the evolving debate on birthright citizenship. The findings provide insight into therapeutic strategies to support marginalized youth experiencing identity confusion and familial estrangement. Introduction Identity development is central to adolescent and emerging adult mental health (Erikson, 1968). For many Hispanic American individuals, this process is compli cated by cultural dissonance, systemic discrimination and intergenerational trauma (Comas-Diaz, 2006). The case of Brian, a young Hispanic American man with a history of mental illness and family rejection, reveals a unique intersection of psychological distress, cultural displacement and sociopolitical influence. His expressed preference to identify as white and his disavowal of his ethnic identity raises important questions regarding internalized oppression and the role of cultural identity in therapeutic outcomes. Case overview Brian, currently engaged in early recovery treatment, psychosocial, familial and sociopolitical factors contributing to identity displacement and emotional distress in a Hispanic American

Brian’s discomfort with his ethnic identity is deeply rooted in perceived systemic inequities. He believes that identifying as Hispanic has led to denials for govern ment assistance, including food stamps and disability benefits. His resulting preference to identify as white reveals an internalized bias and a defense mechanism formed to avoid perceived rejection and resource inac cessibility. This presents clinical implications around identity safety and trauma-informed care. Literature review Acculturation stress and internalized racism are well-documented contributors to psychological malad justment in Latinx populations (Gonzalez et al., 2019; Rivas-Drake et al., 2014). Comas-Diaz (2001) introduced the concept of ethnopolitical psychology, suggesting that socio-political systems shape ethnic identity and influence mental health outcomes. Additionally, identity dissonance is commonly seen in youth negotiating bicul tural lives (Schwartz et al., 2010). Research indicates that Hispanic individuals who feel socially marginalized are more likely to suppress ethnic identifiers (Romero et al., 2007). Such suppression, particularly when rooted in family dysfunction and systemic disenfranchisement, con tributes to poor self-esteem, depressive symptoms and diminished social functioning (Umaña-Taylor et al., 2014). Familial rejection based on mental illness has similarly been linked to increased risk of suicide, sub stance use and treatment disengagement (Moskowitz et al., 2020). Sociopolitical context Brian’s identity crisis must also be viewed through the lens of national discourse. The rise in anti-immi grant sentiment, increased ICE activity and proposed limitations on birthright citizenship by recent political administrations have contributed to increased fear and disassociation among U.S.-born individuals of Hispanic descent (Pierce & Selee, 2017). Although the Fourteenth Amendment currently upholds birthright citizenship, recent legislative proposals and public discourse have created a chilling effect on immigrant and first-generation communities (Miroff, 2023). →

Winter 2025-2026 | Corrections Today

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