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

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health volume 21, pages 909–919 (2019)Cite this article

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.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, ST 815, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA

    Cindy C. Sangalang

  2. School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    David Becerra, Felicia M. Mitchell, Stephanie Lechuga-Peña & Kristina Lopez

  3. School of Social Work, University of Buffalo, The State University of New York, 685 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA

    Isok Kim

Authors
  1. Cindy C. Sangalang
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  2. David Becerra
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  3. Felicia M. Mitchell
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  4. Stephanie Lechuga-Peña
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  5. Kristina Lopez
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  6. Isok Kim
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Contributions

C. C. Sangalang led the study conceptualization, data analysis and interpretation, and writing. D. Becerra contributed to the writing and interpretation of data. F. M. Mitchell, S. Lechuga-Pena, and K. Lopez contributed to the writing and theoretical content. I. Kim contributed to the study concept and interpretation of data.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cindy C. Sangalang.

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All listed authors have reviewed and approved this manuscript, report no conflicts of interest, and will accept responsibility for its content.

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 4 and 5.

Table 4 Top five pre-migration traumatic events for refugees and immigrants
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Table 5 Top five post-migration traumatic events for refugees and immigrants
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Sangalang, C.C., Becerra, D., Mitchell, F.M. et al. Trauma, Post-Migration Stress, and Mental Health: A Comparative Analysis of Refugees and Immigrants in the United States. J Immigrant Minority Health 21, 909–919 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0826-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0826-2

Keywords

  • Refugees
  • Immigrants
  • Trauma
  • Post-migration stressors
  • Mental health