Infant Mental Health Journal
Volume 40, Issue 5, 2019, Pages 640-658

Trauma, immigration, and sexual health among Latina women: Implications for maternal–child well-being and reproductive justice (Article)

Fortuna L.R.* , Noroña C.R. , Porche M.V. , Tillman C. , Patil P.A. , Wang Y. , Markle S.L. , Alegría M.
  • a Boston Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Boston Medical Center, Child Witness to Violence, Boston, MA, United States
  • c Boston University, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston, MA, United States
  • d La Puerta Abierta, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • e Boston University, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston, MA, United States
  • f Massachusetts General Hospital, Disparities Research Unit and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
  • g Massachusetts General Hospital, Disparities Research Unit and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
  • h Massachusetts General Hospital, Disparities Research Unit and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Latina immigrant women are vulnerable to traumatic stress and sexual health disparities. Without autonomy over their reproductive health and related decision-making, reproductive justice is elusive. We analyzed behavioral health data from 175 Latina immigrant participants (M age = 35; range = 18–64) of the International Latino Research Partnership (ILRP) study. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to compare immigrant mothers of minor children to those without, regarding their psychological and reproductive health, and correlates of past exposure to sexual trauma. Over one third (38%) of ILRP participants had minor children, and 58% had citizenship in their host country. The rate for sexual assault was 30 and 61%, respectively, for physical assault; these rates were similarly high for women with and without minor children. Women who reported sexual assault scored significantly higher for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance-abuse screens. Odds of experiencing sexual assault was highest for women who experienced physical assault (odds ratio = 10.74), and for those from the Northern Triangle (odds ratio = 8.41). Subgroups of Latina migrant mothers are vulnerable to traumatic stress and related sexual and mental health risks. Given these findings, we frame the implications in a reproductive justice framework and consider consequences for caregiver–child well-being. © 2019 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health

Author Keywords

Traumatic stress Latina Immigrant Lateinamerikanerin reproductive justice Traumatischer Stress Justice reproductive santé mentale du nourrisson Immigrées Einwanderer Inmigrante psychische Gesundheit von Säuglingen infant mental health Reproduktive Gerechtigkeit justicia reproductiva Stress traumatique estrés traumático salud mental infantil

Index Keywords

descriptive research depression mental health service health care policy mental health human wellbeing immigration injury controlled study priority journal comparative study reproductive rights drug dependence psychosocial care female clinical evaluation Contraception sexual health Article experience adult health care access posttraumatic stress disorder Reproductive Health sexual assault health hazard citizenship mother child relation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85068638053&doi=10.1002%2fimhj.21805&partnerID=40&md5=317a01c9a2307fb06fc66986c76a4286
DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21805
ISSN: 01639641
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English