About this poster

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Panel information
Panel 1. Context: Cross-Cultural, Neighborhood, and Social

Abstract

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In 2022 total forced displacement numbers exceeded 100 million people for the first time—a staggering statistic representing 1 in every 78 people in the world (UNHCR, 2022). These numbers also represent crisis migrants, whom flee their homes due to violent crime, severe poverty, or disasters in their home country (Vos et al., 2021). In particular, the U.S. is seeing increasing numbers of migrant and refugee children and families from Central America (Cohodes et al., 2021; Perez et al., 2021; Patel et al., 2021). Children have been found to have high levels of mental health problems including posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression resulting from exposure to prolonged and cumulative adverse experiences in their country of origin, during migration, and while settling into a new location (Taylor & Kaplan, 2023). Supporting this, immigrant risk theory states that migration puts youth at risk for poor mental health and adjustment problems, such as poorer social support (Levitt et al., 2005; Tilley et al., 2021). However, immigrant paradox theory states immigrant youth have fewer mental health issues and higher competence despite experiencing more stress and having fewer resources (Salas-Wright et al., 2016; Bowe, 2017). Better understanding the adaptation of immigrant-origin children and youth and the contexts in which they thrive or are vulnerable is therefore of critical global importance (Suárez-Orozco et al., 2018).

Our study examines differences in wellbeing amongst Latine immigrant and non-immigrant youth, and explores the migration experiences of non-U.S. born youth. Data comes from the first wave of an ongoing mixed-method study of Latine youth ages 10-15 years (N=307, Mage =12.21 years, 51% boys, Mincome=25-30K) and a caregiver (88% mothers) in rural and agricultural families in the U.S. Midwest. Most (87%) parents and 29% of youth were first-generation immigrants, largely from Mexico (64% of parents and 30% of youth) and Guatemala (13% of parents and 39% of youth). Most parents (92.7%) and 30.5% of youth completed surveys in Spanish. Qualitative interviews were collected with youth (n=47, 48% immigrant) participating in a Migrant Education Program. Measures included normed adjustment and health measures (youth and parent report) from the NIH PROMIS (global health, depression, anxiety, psychological stress experiences), discrimination (PDS, youth report), family stressors (HSI, parent report), and social support (MSPS, youth report). Qualitative data asked: “How long have you and your family lived here? “How did your family come to Indiana?”

Table 1 shows health differences between immigrant and U.S. born youth. Reports provided mixed findings for both immigrant risk and immigrant paradox depending on immigrant status and reporter. T-tests also found significant differences between groups: Parent report of youth anxiety (p<.05, MD =-.27), depression (p<.01, MD =-.33), poor global health (p<.05, MD =-.14), and family stressors (p<.05, MD =-1.64) were significantly higher for immigrant youth. Youth self-report of depression (p<.01, MD =-.66) and discrimination (p<.01, MD =-.19) were significantly higher for immigrant youth, and self-report of social support from friends (p<.05, MD =.28) and a special person (p<.05, MD =-.26) was significantly lower. There were no differences in psychological stress experiences or family support. Preliminary qualitative data (Table 2) show migration experiences that impact youth wellbeing such as 1) migration drivers, 2) migration trauma, 3) family separations, and 4) family reunions.

Across the world, major humanitarian issues will continue to impact the large-scale movement of peoples within and outside of their countries of origin. Migration is increasingly catastrophic and takes place in contexts characterized by high levels of socioeconomic vulnerability and low capacity of infrastructures and institutions (Suárez-Orozco, 2019). Understanding the challenges and resilience of immigrant youth will allow more tailored interventions to support children’s development.

Author information

Author	Role
Zoe Ellen Taylor, Purdue University	Presenting author
Xue Jiang, Purdue University, United States	Non-presenting author
Anastasia Pinopoulos, Purdue University, United States	Non-presenting author
Genesis Santiago, Purdue University, United States	Non-presenting author
Yumary Ruiz, Purdue University, United States	Non-presenting author

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