Immigration, perceived discrimination and mental health: evidence from Venezuelan population living in Peru

Abstract

Background The association between international migration and mental health is conditioned to several factors, and discrimination may play a significant role. Currently, Peru is one of the principal Venezuelan migrant-receiving countries in Latin America. There are around one million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the country. This study evaluates the association between self-perceived discrimination and mental health problems in Venezuelan population living in Peru. Method We analyzed data from the Venezuelan Population Residing in Peru Survey 2018, a nationally representative urban sample aimed at collecting information on several dimensions of Venezuelan population wellbeing. We applied logistic regression models to assess the association between self-perceived discrimination and mental health problems. Moreover, we applied the propensity score matching method as a robustness check of our results. Results Of 9487 Venezuelans surveyed, 6806 included complete information. From this sample, 6.3% reported mental health problems related to fear, anger, anxiety, or stress. Logistic regression models showed that Venezuelans who perceived being discriminated against had 2.4 higher odds of presenting mental health problems than their non-discriminated counterparts. Moreover, propensity score matching models showed that Venezuelans who perceived being discriminated against increased by 3.5 percentage points their probability of presenting mental health problems compared to their non-discriminated counterparts. Conclusions There is evidence that self-perceived discrimination is associated with mental health deterioration in Venezuelan migrants living in Peru. Our findings are relevant in the current geopolitical context and could be useful in the decision making processes in international health.

The Work, Economic, and Remittance Stress and Distress of the COVID-19 Pandemic Containment Policies: The Case of Venezuelan Migrants in Argentina and Chile

“…Finally, this study contributes to the nascent but growing research on Venezuelan migrants’ psychological well-being. Previous studies found that Venezuelan immigrants experience psychological distress due to societal discrimination [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ], fears about education and career status loss in the destination country [ 65 ], and the COVID-19 pandemic in general [ 23 ]. Moreover, there is evidence that Venezuelans in Peru experience stress when unable to send remittances during the pandemic [ 66 ].…”

Adaptation of Venezuelan refugees in Colombia: The mediating roles of acculturation orientations in influencing acculturation adaptations

“…In this study, lower level of Perceived Discrimination was significantly linked to refugees' higher orientation towards Colombians and higher reports of psychological adjustment. Ingroup bias and outgroup prejudice in host societies, are pervasive features of human attitudes and have been studied extensively (Mougenot et al, 2021). According to prior research, among Venezuelan refugees in Peru, there was a strong association between reports of perceived discrimination and mental health problems (Mougenot et al, 2021).…”

“…Ingroup bias and outgroup prejudice in host societies, are pervasive features of human attitudes and have been studied extensively (Mougenot et al, 2021). According to prior research, among Venezuelan refugees in Peru, there was a strong association between reports of perceived discrimination and mental health problems (Mougenot et al, 2021). In a study examining Iranian refugees in the Netherlands, it was found that perceived discrimination was positively linked to negative psychological and sociocultural outcomes including negative affect, subjective feelings of linguistic incompetence and lower levels of overall well-being (Lindert et al, 2008).…”

Clinical situation of Venezuelan migrants living with HIV in a hospital in Lima, Peru

“…28,29 Moreover, once the Venezuelan migration in Peru became noticeable, migrants might have encountered an increasing wave of xenophobia and discrimination. 30,31 Thus, beyond the burden of HIV stigma, Venezuelan PLWH might have faced xenophobia and negative context reception, 32 which directly affect their mental health 33,34 and hamper linkage to health services and retention in care. In this context, it is possible that, through a snowball effect, migrant PLWH could share information about certain HIV health services as "safer places" for peers.…”