Cultural stress and mental health among Venezuelan migrants: cross-national evidence from 2017 to 2024.

Abstract

Background: Since 2015, ~ 8 million Venezuelans have fled what was once Latin America's most prosperous nation, with many relocating to nearby Colombia and others migrating to the United States (U.S.). Emerging research suggests that migration-related cultural stress is a challenge for Venezuelans and is related to an increased risk of mental health problems. However, it remains uncertain how cultural stress and mental health outcomes manifest over time and across countries.

Methods: We use independent sample t-tests to compare survey data from multiple studies of Venezuelan migrants in Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia, and the U.S. State of Florida. Data collected include self-report measures on discrimination, negative context of reception (NCR), and depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening diagnoses, collected from distinct cross-national cohorts in 2017 (N = 638) and 2023-2024 (N = 1241).

Results: Self-reported NCR and discrimination were consistently higher among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia than among Venezuelans in Florida. Levels of cultural stress within countries were variable, with NCR decreasing across years in Florida and discrimination increasing in both Florida and Colombia. Many Venezuelan migrants reported symptoms of mental health problems, with half of the sample in Colombia (54-56%) and two-fifths of the sample in Florida (39-41%) screening positive for depression in 2017 and 2023-2024. Individuals exposed to higher levels of cultural stress were substantially more likely to screen positive for depression and PTSD.

Conclusions: This study is the first to examine cultural stress and mental health among Venezuelan migrants across national contexts and different stages of the still-unfolding international migration crisis.