Citation

Flynn MA, Eggerth DE, Jacobson CJ. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2015; 58(11): 1127-1137.

Affiliation

Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22531

PMID

26471878

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Undocumented immigration to the United States has grown dramatically over the past 25 years. This study explores undocumented status as a social determinant of occupational health by examining its perceived consequences on workplace safety of Latino immigrants.

METHODS: Guided by the Theory of Work Adjustment, qualitative analysis was conducted on transcripts from focus groups and individual interviews conducted with a convenience sample of Latino immigrant workers.

RESULTS: Participants reported that unauthorized status negatively impacted their safety at work and resulted in a degree of alienation that exceeded the specific proscriptions of the law. Participants overwhelming used a strategy of disengagement to cope with the challenges they face as undocumented immigrants.

CONCLUSION: This study describes the complex web of consequences resulting from undocumented status and its impact on occupational health. This study presents a framework connecting the daily work experiences of immigrants, the coping strategy of disengagement, and efforts to minimize the impact of structural violence. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:1127-1137, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en