After they ran statistical tests on the answers, they considered the possibility that the three factors interacted in various combinations.

"We've looked at it several ways," Steffen said. "Statistically, the stronger case was for sleep being the link between racism and depression."

Steffen has been working with Spanish-speaking immigrants in Utah dealing with stress and depression. He learned Spanish as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Spain. He said immigrants who have more recently arrived in the United States don't experience depression related to racism as often as immigrants who have lived here for a longer period of time. It isn't until after they start learning and understanding English that they perceive racism.

Aside from taking prescribed medications and seeking professional help, White said it is necessary for immigrants suffering from depression to "get active and get into life somehow."

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