Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 17, Issue 5, 2015, Pages 1518-1525

Stress, Place, and Allostatic Load Among Mexican Immigrant Farmworkers in Oregon (Article)

McClure H.H.* , Josh Snodgrass J. , Martinez C.R., Jr. , Squires E.C. , Jiménez R.A. , Isiordia L.E. , Eddy J.M. , McDade T.W. , Small J.
  • a Center for Equity Promotion, College of Education, 6215 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-6215, United States, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
  • b Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
  • c Center for Equity Promotion, College of Education, 6215 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-6215, United States
  • d Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
  • e Farmworker Housing Development Corporation, Woodburn, OR, United States
  • f Capaces Leadership Institute, Woodburn, OR, United States
  • g Partners for Our Children, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • h Department of Anthropology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
  • i Center for Equity Promotion, College of Education, 6215 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-6215, United States

Abstract

Cumulative exposure to chronic stressors has been shown to contribute to immigrants’ deteriorating health with more time in US residence. Few studies, however, have examined links among common psychosocial stressors for immigrants (e.g., acculturation-related) and contexts of immigrant settlement for physical health. The study investigated relationships among social stressors, stress buffers (e.g., family support), and allostatic load (AL)—a summary measure of physiological “wear and tear”—among 126 adult Mexican immigrant farm workers. Analyses examined social contributors to AL in two locales: (1) White, English-speaking majority sites, and (2) a Mexican immigrant enclave. Our six-point AL scale incorporated immune, cardiovascular, and metabolic measures. Among men and women, older age predicted higher AL. Among women, lower family support related to higher AL in White majority communities only. Findings suggest that Latino immigrants’ cumulative experiences in the US significantly compromise their health, with important differences by community context. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

allostatic load Stress Health farm worker place Ethnic enclave Mexican immigrants

Index Keywords

Blood Glucose demography blood pressure Waist Circumference agricultural worker human epidemiology sex difference middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress Aged social support Allostasis Farmers ethnology Residence Characteristics Young Adult Humans migrant psychology Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female socioeconomics cultural factor cholesterol blood glucose blood level C reactive protein adult age Sex Factors Age Factors C-Reactive Protein Mexican Americans Oregon Mexican American
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84941413050&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-014-0066-z&partnerID=40&md5=2139e61e49e064a1e26b41fea69c9bd3
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-0066-z
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English