Journal of Career Development
Volume 39, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 13-30

Work experiences of Latina immigrants: A qualitative study (Article)

Eggerth D.E. , DeLaney S.C. , Flynn M.A. , Jacobson C.J.
  • a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, United States
  • b National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, United States
  • c National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, United States
  • d University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States

Abstract

Almost half of the Latino immigrants working in the United States are women. However, studies concerning the work experiences of Latinas are almost absent in the literature. This article reports the findings from a qualitative study using eight focus groups (n = 53) of Latina immigrant workers. The focus group transcripts were analyzed using the grounded theory approach in which themes emerge from iterative readings of the transcripts by a group of investigators. This study identified themes related to excessive workload, familiar work/unfamiliar hazards, cultural tensions, lack of health care, pregnancy, sexual harassment, and family obligations/expectations. The responses of the Latina workers in this study clearly indicated that they live within a complex web of stressors, both as workers and as women. The increased economic opportunities that come with immigration to the United States are accompanied by many opportunities for exploitation, especially if they are undocumented. It is hoped that the findings of this study will raise awareness regarding these issues and spur further work in this area. © The Curators of the University of Missouri 2012.

Author Keywords

qualitative research Multicultural Latina/o Immigrant workers Work experiences

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84855949235&doi=10.1177%2f0894845311417130&partnerID=40&md5=266a671b1014c508e6b0f59bb5ed3e9f
DOI: 10.1177/0894845311417130
ISSN: 08948453
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English