Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 21, Issue 5, 2019, Pages 909-919

Trauma, Post-Migration Stress, and Mental Health: A Comparative Analysis of Refugees and Immigrants in the United States (Article)

Sangalang C.C.* , Becerra D. , Mitchell F.M. , Lechuga-Peña S. , Lopez K. , Kim I.
  • a School of Social Work, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, ST 815, Los Angeles, CA 90032, United States
  • b School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
  • c School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
  • d School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
  • e School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
  • f School of Social Work, University of Buffalo, The State University of New York, 685 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States

Abstract

Numerous studies describe mental health effects of pre-migration trauma and post-resettlement stress among refugees, yet less research examines these associations with non-refugee immigrants. Additionally, few studies assess the prevalence and impact of traumatic experiences after settlement in a new country. Using a U.S.-based representative sample of Asian (n = 1637) and Latino (n = 1620) refugees and immigrants, we investigated how traumatic events prior to and after migration, and post-migration stressors, are associated with mental illness and distress. Pre-migration trauma posed risk across a broad range of psychological outcomes for Asian refugees and Latino immigrants. Deleterious effects of post-migration trauma were notable for both groups of refugees and immigrants. Discrimination, acculturative stress, and family conflict increased risk for disorder and distress across groups in complex ways. Findings highlight the importance of examining trauma and stress at pre- and post-migration phases across migrant populations, including those not labeled as refugees. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Post-migration stressors immigrants Mental health Refugees trauma

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85053759436&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-018-0826-2&partnerID=40&md5=6dac87ede7e099590ad5aacbabcc7854
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-018-0826-2
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English