Death Studies
2019

Miles over mind: Transnational death and its association with psychological distress among undocumented Mexican immigrants (Article)

Garcini L.M.* , Galvan T. , Brown R. , Chen M. , Klonoff E.A. , Ziauddin K. , Fagundes C.P.
  • a Department of Psychology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
  • b Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
  • c Department of Psychology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
  • d Department of Psychology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
  • e Office of Research and Commercialization, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
  • f Department of Psychology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
  • g Department of Psychology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the association between transnational death and psychological distress among undocumented Mexican immigrants. The Minority Stress Model and a disenfranchised grief perspective were used as frameworks for this study. Method: Respondent driven sampling (RDS) was used to collect data from clinical interviews with 248 undocumented Mexican immigrants residing near the US–Mexico border. Results: After controlling for relevant covariates, experiencing transnational death was a significant predictor of clinically significant distress in this at-risk population. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the need to contextualize transnational death among undocumented immigrants from a perspective of disenfranchised grief that requires the development of contextually and culturally sensitive interventions aimed at addressing the high prevalence of transnational death and its associated distress in this marginalized population. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062449251&doi=10.1080%2f07481187.2019.1573862&partnerID=40&md5=fdd8bccf2dca9dced620a625d8dce178
DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1573862
ISSN: 07481187
Original Language: English