Unraveling the Migration Journey: Understanding the Impact of Migration Stage Stress on the Mental Health of Mexicans and Central Americans.

Abstract

Existing research highlights the impact of migration-stage stress on the mental health of Latinx migrants. However, there remains limited understanding of the experiences of recently arrived Mexican and Central American migrants who have fled hardships and encountered substantial challenges throughout their migration journey. To address this gap, this study was designed to examine the associations between cumulative stress experienced at distinct stages of migration (pre-migration, peri-migration, and post-migration) to the United States (U.S.) and depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Additionally, the study aimed to examine the moderating role of social support as a protective factor for these mental health outcomes. Using a cross-sectional design, survey data were collected from Mexican and Central American migrants who arrived within the past decade (n = 305). Multiple regression analyses were employed to assess the relationship between stage-specific migration stressors and reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Higher pre-migration and post-migration stress were significantly associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, while peri-migration stress was specifically associated with heightened anxiety and PTSD symptoms. Notably, social support demonstrated a protective effect on all mental health symptoms, although no significant moderating effects were observed. Findings highlight the critical importance of addressing migration-stage stress throughout all stages of migration. This study presents practice and policy implications to promote the wellbeing and integration of Mexican and Central American migrants in the U.S.