Developmental Indices Among Central American Immigrants Exposed to War-Related Trauma: Clinical Implications for Counselors

Asner-Self, Kimberly K.; Marotta, Sylvia A.

doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2005.tb00593.x

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…These participants were also highly resilient individuals who had overcome great adversity to establish lives for themselves in the United States; some emigrated from countries where there have been civil wars, and many were exposed to childhood trauma (Asner- Self & Marotta, 2005). Because of our recruitment strategy, all of these women were also enrolled in high-quality prenatal care, many during their first trimester.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Their Own Voices

Perry

Genovez

et al. 2013

Qual Health Res

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We conducted exit interviews with a random sample of 39 predominantly Central American immigrant mothers who had completed a longitudinal randomized controlled trial to prevent perinatal depression. We found that rates and levels of perinatal depression in the intervention and control groups were lower than expected and did not differ between groups at 1 year postpartum. Therefore, we conducted extensive semistructured interviews to (a) understand why these high-risk women had such low rates of major depressive episodes and depressive symptoms, and (b) determine if the mechanisms responsible for reductions in depression differed between the intervention and usual care groups. We discovered that the intervention group learned specific mood-management skills from their participation in the intervention, and that the control group experienced their participation in the study as a "low-dose" intervention. Our experience highlights the importance of conducting qualitative studies to understand quantitative outcomes of intervention studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Their Own Voices

Perry

Genovez

et al. 2013

Qual Health Res

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“…Years of political strife and armed conflict in many Latin American countries have perpetuated the region’s violence and political violence (PV) continues to be a critical public health concern for immigrants from Latin America along with exposure to other violence and psychosocial trauma (Asner-Self & Marotta, 2005). Unfortunately, immigrants often come to the US to struggle further, living in neighborhoods and communities with high levels of poverty and violence (Aponte, 1993; Crowley, Lichter, & Qian, 2006) and may experience significant levels of discrimination (Buvinic, Morrison, & Shifter, 1999; Smart & Smart, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Political violence, psychosocial trauma, and the context of mental health services use among immigrant Latinos in the United States

2008

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Objectives We present the prevalence of political violence (PV) of immigrant Latinos in the US, and perceived need for and correlates of mental health services use among this population. Methods We use the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), a nationally representative epidemiological survey of US Latinos, including a probability sample of 1630 immigrant Latinos. We use a conceptual framework that assumes a strong role of social and cultural factors in understanding the risk for psychopathology and mental health service use. Results Eleven percent of all immigrant Latinos reported PV exposure and 76% described additional lifetime traumas. Among those with a history of PV, an increased likelihood of using mental health services was associated with female gender, English language proficiency, experiencing personal assaults, higher perceived discrimination, and having an anxiety or substance disorder. Specific subgroups of Latinos, including men and Mexican immigrants, were less likely to access mental health services after experiencing PV. Perceived need for mental health services use is the strongest correlate of any lifetime and last 12 months service use. Conclusions The strong consequences of PV suggest the need for systematic screening and referral strategies. Specific outreach interventions focused on perceptions of need could be helpful for subgroups of Latinos including men who are particularly underrepresented in mental health services but who exhibit significant trauma histories.

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“…Three of four who became combatants in the group with identity problems began in the FMLN forces at ages 10, 13, and 14. Even in adult Vietnam veterans, war trauma appeared to be correlated with identity issues, just as PTSD and identity in flux correlated in the study of Central Americans in the United States (Asner- Self & Marotta, 2005). In African studies (Betancourt et al, 2010), PTSD was high in child soldiers in Africa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%