Journal of the National Medical Association
Volume 99, Issue 10, 2007, Pages 1126-1131

Legal status, emotional well-being and subjective health status of Latino immigrants (Article)

Cavazos-Rehg P.A.* , Zayas L.H. , Spitznagel E.L.
  • a Center for Mental Health Services Research, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States, Campus Box 1834, Department of Psychiatry, 660 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
  • b Center for Mental Health Services Research, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
  • c Center for Mental Health Services Research, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States

Abstract

Among the many stresses that undocumented Latino immigrants experience, worries about their legal status and preoccupation with disclosure and deportation can heighten the risk for emotional distress and impaired quality of health. To better document these effects, this study examined the relationship between deportation concern and emotional and physical well-being among a group of Latino immigrants in a midwestern city. One-hundred-forty-three persons were recruited through community sources. Fifty-six participants (39%) expressed concern with seeking services for fear of deportation, while 87 did not endorse this concern. Measures of emotional distress, Hispanic immigrant stress and subjective health status were administered. Results indicate that Latino immigrants with concerns about deportation are at heightened risk of experiencing negative emotional and health states (particularly anger), Hispanic immigrant stress associated with extrafamilial factors and substandard health status. Findings inform policymakers of culturally relevant stressors of undocumented Latino immigrants that help to create and perpetuate the health and mental health disparities of this group.

Author Keywords

Quality of life Latinos

Index Keywords

immigrant Emotions mental health human wellbeing Stress, Psychological priority journal health status anger Hispanic Americans United States quality of life Humans Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants female emotional stress Article Questionnaires adult major clinical study Fear illegal immigrant
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-35348985396&partnerID=40&md5=2d014d303fc2cd3310b1feecfd43db39
ISSN: 00279684
Cited by: 147
Original Language: English