International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
Volume 14, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 199-207

Parental health-related quality of life, depression and stress among low-income immigrants (Article)

Kamimura A.* , Ashby J. , Nourian M. , Assasnik N. , Chen J. , Tabler J. , Aguilera G. , Blanton N. , Jess A. , Reel J.
  • a Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • b Maliheh Free Clinic, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • c School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • d School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • e School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • f Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, United States
  • g Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • h Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • i Maliheh Free Clinic, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • j College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC, United States

Abstract

Purpose: Little is known about low-income immigrant parents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with their parenting. The purpose of this paper is to examine low-income immigrant parents’ HRQoL, depression and stress. Design/methodology/approach: In the spring of 2015, English speaking and Spanish speaking low-income uninsured immigrant parents utilizing a free clinic (N=182) completed a self-administered survey using standardized measures of parental HRQoL, stress and depression. Findings: Immigrant parents’ HRQoL related to parenting was lower than general primary care patients. Higher levels of depression and stress were associated with lower levels of parental HRQoL and family functioning. Spanish speakers were significantly more likely to worry about their child’s health or future compared to English speakers. Originality/value: While both English and Spanish speaking immigrant parents may need assistance addressing the health-related needs of their child, Spanish speakers may be a target audience for outreach programs. It is possible that by improving the health of their child, immigrant parents may see improvement in their own HRQoL and reductions in their levels of stress and depression. Future research should develop parenting classes for low-income immigrant parents targeting the potential health needs of their children, and assess the efficacy of the classes in improving child health and parental HRQoL. © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Author Keywords

Health-related quality of life immigrants Stress Depression Low-income Parenting

Index Keywords

immigrant family functioning primary medical care medically uninsured comparative effectiveness lowest income group human controlled study speech quality of life spring male female stress child health Article major clinical study child parent relation Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85047213738&doi=10.1108%2fIJMHSC-11-2016-0041&partnerID=40&md5=da8f1536a2bbc37ba59df9873f2292f1
DOI: 10.1108/IJMHSC-11-2016-0041
ISSN: 17479894
Original Language: English