Citation

Letiecq BL, Mehta S, Vesely CK, Goodman RD, Marquez M, Moron LP. Fam. Community Health 2019; 42(4): 271-282.

Affiliation

College of Education and Human Development, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Drs Letiecq, Vesely, and Goodman and Ms Mehta); Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, Alexandria, Virginia (Ms Marquez); and Child Trends, Bethesda, Maryland (Ms Moron).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/FCH.0000000000000233

PMID

31403988

Abstract

Using a community-based participatory research approach, we surveyed 134 undocumented Central American immigrant mothers to examine correlates of maternal mental health. Drawing upon an ecosystemic framework, predictors of depression included structural and familial stressors, parental concerns, and maternal health factors. Mothers' perceptions of child affect, traumatic stress, and general health ratings were among the most salient predictors. However, structural and familial stressors, such as food insecurity and single parenting, also accounted for significant variance in depression scores.

FINDINGS informed community actions such as advocating for mental health care and building awareness of families' lived experiences within the local school system.

Language: en