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Immigration Policy Changes and the Mental Health of Mexican-American Immigrants

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Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent years, significant policy changes focused on immigrants migrating through the southern United States border have been implemented. To determine if there was an association between time since immigration and increases in negative mental health symptomology, 249 Mexican-American immigrants ages 18–65 were field recruited to participate in a survey exploring their physical and mental health. Results indicate that inconsistent with the Hispanic Health Paradox, the psychological health of immigrants arriving since 2015 was significantly worse than that of more established immigrants. New arrivals had a .38 increased risk of experiencing clinically significant depression and a .47 increased risk of experiencing global psychological distress. Time since immigration was not significantly related to past 30-day alcohol use. Implications for future research and clinical practice with immigrants are explored, and suggestions on how better identify and assist Mexican-American immigrants with mental health concerns are offered.

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Funding

Health and Psychosocial Emotional Identity in Migrants and Non-migrants in Mexico and the U.S. Research Program on Migration and Health”; Co-PI Dr. Rosario Silva. Award period: 2016 to 2018, Research Program on Migration and Health (PIMSA, for its Spanish acronym: Programa de Investigación en Migración y Salud).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Mental Health Research and Innovations in Treatment Engagement and Services (MH-RITES Center), University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 301 Social Work Building, Houston, TX, USA

    Robin E. Gearing

  2. University of Texas Arlington School of Social Work, 211 S. Cooper St. Building A #201D, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA

    Micki Washburn

  3. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work, Edinburgh, TX, USA

    Luis R. Torres

  4. University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, Houston, TX, USA

    L. Christian Carr, Alberto Cabrera & Reyna Olivares

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  1. Robin E. Gearing
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Correspondence to Micki Washburn.

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Gearing, R.E., Washburn, M., Torres, L.R. et al. Immigration Policy Changes and the Mental Health of Mexican-American Immigrants. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 8, 579–588 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00816-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00816-5

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