Migrations are phenomena inherent in civilizations, but it is not until recent times that their psychological effects are being investigated. This study has a triple objective: 1) to establish the degree of stress and perceived quality of life experienced by Latin American immigrants who are living in Barcelona, 2) to analyze the relationships between stress and quality of life, and 3) to contrast the degree of stress and perceived quality of life of Colombian immigrants who are living in Barcelona with those of a control group of Colombian non-immigrants. The Perceived Stress Scale (PPS) and the Quality of Life Index (QLI-SP) have been applied to a sample of 113 participants (83 immigrants living in Barcelona and 30 Colombian non-immigrants). Results indicate that the degree of stress is around the average, with women scoring significantly higher than men. Perceived quality of life in Barcelona is mediumhigh, but 21% of women report having low quality of life, indicating that it is more difficult for women to reach an adequate quality of life after immigration. A close relationship was found between stress and quality of life, especially in the case of men. Immigrants report higher levels of stress and lower quality of life than the control group. © Copyright 2009: de los Editores de Ansiedad y Estrés.

Stress Immigration Quality of life Latin-Americans

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