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Common Mental Disorders at the Time of Deportation: A Survey at the Mexico–United States Border

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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Deportations from the Unites States (US) to Mexico increased substantially during the last decade. Considering deportation as a stressful event with potential consequences on mental health, we aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) among deported migrants; and (2) explore the association between migratory experience, social support and psychological variables, and CMD in this group. In repatriation points along the border, a probability sample of deportees responded to the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). The prevalence of CMD was 16.0 % (95 % CI 12.3, 20.6). There was a U-shaped association between time in the US and SRQ score. Times returned to Mexico, having a spouse in the US, number of persons in household, less social support, anxiety as a personality trait, and avoidant coping style were directly associated with SRQ score. Public health policies should address the need for mental health care among deported migrants.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support of all EMIF-N collaborators, and especially of Dr. Marie-Laure Coubés, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte. The research project on which this article was based was funded by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), México, no. SALUD-2012-01-183085.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population Studies, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Abelardo L. Rodriguez 2925, Zona Río, 22010, Tijuana, BC, Mexico

    Ietza Bojorquez, Jacobo Ramírez, Diego Cerecero & Silvia Mejía

  2. Division of Epidemiologic and Psychosocial Research, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria Ramon de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico

    Rosa M. Aguilera

Authors
  1. Ietza Bojorquez
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  2. Rosa M. Aguilera
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  3. Jacobo Ramírez
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  4. Diego Cerecero
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  5. Silvia Mejía
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Correspondence to Ietza Bojorquez.

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Bojorquez, I., Aguilera, R.M., Ramírez, J. et al. Common Mental Disorders at the Time of Deportation: A Survey at the Mexico–United States Border. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 1732–1738 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0083-y

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