The Role of Migration in the Etiology of Depression among Latino Immigrant Parents

India Ornelas, University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Krista Perreira, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Few studies have assessed how factors at various stages of migration contribute to the etiology of health problems in immigrant populations. Most focus only on post-migration factors influencing health. Using data from the Latino Adolescent Migration, Health, and Adaptation Project, this study assessed the extent to which pre-migration (e.g., major life events, high poverty), migration (e.g., unsafe and stressful migration experiences), post-migration (e.g., discrimination, neighborhood factors, family reunification, linguistic isolation), and social support factors contribute to depressive symptoms among a sample of Latino immigrant parents with children ages 12-18. Results from logit models indicate that high poverty levels prior to migration, stress during migration, and racial/ethnic discrimination upon settlement in the US most strongly contribute to the development of depressive symptoms among Latino immigrant parents. Family reunification, social support, and familism reduce the likelihood of depressive symptoms.