Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 19, Issue 3, 2017, Pages 543-551

Coming of Age on the Margins: Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Latino Immigrant Young Adults Eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (Article)

Siemons R. , Raymond-Flesh M. , Auerswald C.L. , Brindis C.D.*
  • a University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States, Joint Medical Program, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • b Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
  • c University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States, Joint Medical Program, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • d Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

Abstract

Undocumented immigrant young adults growing up in the United States face significant challenges. For those qualified, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program’s protections may alleviate stressors, with implications for their mental health and wellbeing (MHWB). We conducted nine focus groups with 61 DACA-eligible Latinos (ages 18–31) in California to investigate their health needs. Participants reported MHWB as their greatest health concern and viewed DACA as beneficial through increasing access to opportunities and promoting belonging and peer support. Participants found that DACA also introduced unanticipated challenges, including greater adult responsibilities and a new precarious identity. Thus, immigration policies such as DACA may influence undocumented young adults’ MHWB in expected and unexpected ways. Research into the impacts of policy changes on young immigrants’ MHWB can guide stakeholders to better address this population’s health needs. MHWB implications include the need to reduce fear of deportation and increase access to services. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

qualitative research Well-being Latino immigrants Mental health young adults Undocumented Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Index Keywords

information processing mental health human policy social support ethnology Hispanic Americans Undocumented Immigrants United States Young Adult Humans undocumented immigrant psychology Hispanic Adolescent California male female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics self concept Resilience, Psychological Family Relations legislation and jurisprudence psychological resilience adult family relation Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84957578963&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-016-0354-x&partnerID=40&md5=8a46a0a08e7d73f6ed119060fee5ce85
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0354-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English