Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Chicano Studies

Second Department

Biology

Reader 1

Arely Zimmerman

Reader 2

Pete Chandrangsu

Abstract

Chronic psychosocial stress is known to impact gut microbiota and long-term health. Undocumented Latino populations—particularly Guatemalans—face heightened stress due to legal precarity, limited healthcare access, and socioeconomic hardship. We hypothesize that undocumented Guatemalan Latinos experience greater gut microbiota disruption due to higher stress levels and unhealthy coping mechanisms, increasing their vulnerability to chronic diseases.This 10-week mixed-method study included Guatemalan and Mexican participants, both documented and undocumented. Psychosocial stress was measured using a culturally adapted plática-style administration of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), alongside a coping questionnaire. Biological data included blood pressure, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and stool samples analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Gut microbial diversity was assessed through Shannon Index (alpha diversity) and PCA (beta diversity). Undocumented Guatemalan participants reported the highest PSS scores and exhibited the lowest gut microbial diversity. Beta diversity analyses revealed distinct clustering patterns for undocumented groups, suggesting compositional shifts in their microbiota. Additionally, this group showed elevated blood pressure and CRP levels compared to all others. Undocumented Guatemalan Latinos appear to experience worsened stress-related health risks, reflected in both self-reported stress and biological indicators. These disruptions in gut microbial diversity and inflammation-related biomarkers may contribute to increased chronic disease susceptibility. In order to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population, structural inequities and enhancement of culturally responsive mental and gut health interventions are needed to be improved.

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