The role of migration in the development of depressive symptoms among Latino immigrant parents in the USA

Abstract

Nearly one out of every four children in the US is a child of immigrants. Yet few studies have assessed how factors at various stages of migration contribute to the development of health problems in immigrant populations. Most focus only on post-migration factors influencing health. Using data from the Latino Adolescent Migration, Health, and Adaptation Project, this study assessed the extent to which pre-migration (e.g., major life events, high poverty), migration (e.g., unsafe and stressful migration experiences), post-migration (e.g., discrimination, neighborhood factors, family reunification, linguistic isolation), and social support factors contributed to depressive symptoms among a sample of Latino immigrant parents with children ages 12-18. Results indicated that high poverty levels prior to migration, stressful experiences during migration, as well as racial problems in the neighborhood and racial/ethnic discrimination upon settlement in the US most strongly contribute to the development of depressive symptoms among Latino immigrant parents. Family reunification, social support, and familism reduce the likelihood of depressive symptoms.

Depression and Coping Mechanism among Migrant Returnees from Middle East Countries in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

“…To improve personal and family life situation/living standard, search for better life and better paying job, failure to succeed in educational endeavors, poverty of family and poor life situation, unemployment, failure to succeed in educational endeavors were additional factors. The present study finding was consistently pertinent with many previous research findings in Ethiopia such as Emebet [6], Asefach [14], Agrinet [41], ILO [21], IOM [22] and Bezabih [62].Our finding is also consistent with a number of previous studies conducted in North America [63][64][65][66], Europe [67][68][69][70][71][72] and the Middle East [73,74] among migrants and refugees from different countries who found that migration related stressors (such as being unable to get salary on time and salary denial) and preparation of the migrant beforehand (e.g. awareness about the culture, the lifestyle, food and religion of the destination country) are important predictors of depression disorder symptoms.…”

The Impact of the Migration on Psychosocial Well-Being: A Study of Kurdish Refugees in Resettlement Country

“…The rise of anxiety and psychological problems among immigrants in the resettlement countries, in comparison with native inhabitants, has been addressed in previous studies [19][20][21][22]. Factors that may influence immigrant's psychological well-being in resettlement countries might accord our findings be traced back to the pre-migration and migration processes.…”

“…The effect of discrimination on immigrants' mental health has been addressed in previous studies [21,29]. Immigrants' experiences of discrimination in the pre-migration stage make them more vulnerable for the same processes in the post-migration phase.…”

Factors promoting resilience among Mexican immigrant women in the United States: Applying a positive deviance approach

“…Recent studies continue reporting a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among Mexican immigrant women and identify additional factors that affect their mental health (Fox & Kim-Godwin, 2011;Garcini et al, 2016;Ornelas & Perreira, 2011). These include: an extended time of residence in the usa, ethnic discrimination and antiimmigrant sentiments, threats of deportation, financial insecurity, loss of connections with family and friends in their country of origin, experiences of trauma, loss and adversity, language limitations, stress due to the inability to find employment, feelings of not fitting into a new culture, lack of familiarity with new environment, conflict between traditional and new customs and values, feelings of shame, and not participating in the decision to migrate.…”