Rafael E. Hernández Dubon, Bethany L. Letiecq, Tara Chaplin, Colleen K. Vesely, Rachael D. Goodman, Marlene Marquez
{"title":"Immigration-related stress, depression, and positive parenting among undocumented Central American immigrant mothers","authors":"Rafael E. Hernández Dubon, Bethany L. Letiecq, Tara Chaplin, Colleen K. Vesely, Rachael D. Goodman, Marlene Marquez","doi":"10.1111/fare.13106","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Objective</h3>\n \n <p>The purpose of the current study was to examine whether immigration-related stress is associated with reduced positive parenting and whether this association is mediated by depressive symptoms in undocumented Central American immigrant mothers.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Background</h3>\n \n <p>In the context of “illegality,” parents can face myriad stressors related to their immigration status, which may lead to heightened emotions, including depressed mood. These experiences may affect family life, including the ways in which immigrant mothers parent their children.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Method</h3>\n \n <p>This study examined survey data generated in 2016–2017 by researchers using a community-based participatory action research approach in partnership with Central American immigrant mothers residing in the Washington, DC, region. The sample for this study included 117 undocumented Central American immigrant mothers of children aged 3 to 11 years.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>Controlling for age of child, mother's education, and relationship status, analyses revealed that immigration-related stress was associated with heightened levels of depressive symptoms for mothers. However, mothers' symptoms of depression were not associated with positive parenting. Additionally, no association between immigration-related stress and positive parenting was found.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusions</h3>\n \n <p>Findings suggest that mothers, although affected by immigration-related stress in terms of their own mood symptoms, may deploy mechanisms such as parental self-sacrifice to protect their children from anti-immigrant harms.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Implications</h3>\n \n <p>Findings hold implications for future research, including research approaches, and practice.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":48206,"journal":{"name":"Family Relations","volume":"74 2","pages":"674-691"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/fare.13106","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Family Relations","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.13106","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"FAMILY STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
Immigration-related stress, depression, and positive parenting among undocumented Central American immigrant mothers
Objective
The purpose of the current study was to examine whether immigration-related stress is associated with reduced positive parenting and whether this association is mediated by depressive symptoms in undocumented Central American immigrant mothers.
Background
In the context of “illegality,” parents can face myriad stressors related to their immigration status, which may lead to heightened emotions, including depressed mood. These experiences may affect family life, including the ways in which immigrant mothers parent their children.
Method
This study examined survey data generated in 2016–2017 by researchers using a community-based participatory action research approach in partnership with Central American immigrant mothers residing in the Washington, DC, region. The sample for this study included 117 undocumented Central American immigrant mothers of children aged 3 to 11 years.
Results
Controlling for age of child, mother's education, and relationship status, analyses revealed that immigration-related stress was associated with heightened levels of depressive symptoms for mothers. However, mothers' symptoms of depression were not associated with positive parenting. Additionally, no association between immigration-related stress and positive parenting was found.
Conclusions
Findings suggest that mothers, although affected by immigration-related stress in terms of their own mood symptoms, may deploy mechanisms such as parental self-sacrifice to protect their children from anti-immigrant harms.
Implications
Findings hold implications for future research, including research approaches, and practice.
期刊介绍:
A premier, applied journal of family studies, Family Relations is mandatory reading for family scholars and all professionals who work with families, including: family practitioners, educators, marriage and family therapists, researchers, and social policy specialists. The journal"s content emphasizes family research with implications for intervention, education, and public policy, always publishing original, innovative and interdisciplinary works with specific recommendations for practice.