BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Restrictive immigration policies and discrimination are associated with negative health outcomes for immigrant and Latino families. Mixed-status families represent a unique subpopulation of Latinos affected by restrictive immigration policies. This qualitative study explored discrimination against mixed-status families and its potential health impact on Latino children from the perspective of Latina mothers. METHODS: In 2017, twenty in-depth interviews with Latina mothers of mixed-status families living in northwestern North Carolina were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed. Constant comparison, an approach to grounded theory development, was used. RESULTS: Nine themes emerged that reflected experiences with discrimination and its negative impact on children. Themes included more frequent and severe discrimination during and after the 2016 US presidential election, determination to stay together and remain in the US, experiences of discrimination in multiple settings, the impact of discrimination on child health and well-being, the impact of fear and stress on meeting the needs of children, the burdening role of children as liaisons between families and services, the inability of citizenship to protect against the effects of discrimination, positive and hopeful responses to discrimination, and the potential role of education in building a foundation for reducing discrimination (and thus promoting the health and well-being of Latino children) in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination against mixed-status, Latino families constitutes a critical threat to the health and well-being of Latino children. Further research should inform immigration policies that support (rather than threaten) the health, well-being, and health care practices that mitigate the stresses experienced by Latino children.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Restrictive immigration policies and discrimination are associated with negative health outcomes for immigrant and Latino families. Mixed-status families represent a unique subpopulation of Latinos affected by restrictive immigration policies. This qualitative study explored discrimination against mixed-status families and its potential health impact on Latino children from the perspective of Latina mothers. METHODS: In 2017, twenty in-depth interviews with Latina mothers of mixed-status families living in northwestern North Carolina were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed. Constant comparison, an approach to grounded theory development, was used. RESULTS: Nine themes emerged that reflected experiences with discrimination and its negative impact on children. Themes included more frequent and severe discrimination during and after the 2016 US presidential election, determination to stay together and remain in the US, experiences of discrimination in multiple settings, the impact of discrimination on child health and well-being, the impact of fear and stress on meeting the needs of children, the burdening role of children as liaisons between families and services, the inability of citizenship to protect against the effects of discrimination, positive and hopeful responses to discrimination, and the potential role of education in building a foundation for reducing discrimination (and thus promoting the health and well-being of Latino children) in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination against mixed-status, Latino families constitutes a critical threat to the health and well-being of Latino children. Further research should inform immigration policies that support (rather than threaten) the health, well-being, and health care practices that mitigate the stresses experienced by Latino children.
Authors: Scott D Rhodes; Lilli Mann; Florence M Simán; Eunyoung Song; Jorge Alonzo; Mario Downs; Emma Lawlor; Omar Martinez; Christina J Sun; Mary Claire O'Brien; Beth A Reboussin; Mark A Hall Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2015-02 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Tumaini R Coker; Marc N Elliott; David E Kanouse; Jo Anne Grunbaum; David C Schwebel; M Janice Gilliland; Susan R Tortolero; Melissa F Peskin; Mark A Schuster Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2009-03-19 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Quetzabel Benavides; Monika Doshi; Mislael Valentín-Cortés; Maria Militzer; Spring Quiñones; Ruth Kraut; Raymond Rion; Richard Bryce; William D Lopez; Paul J Fleming Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2021-05-12 Impact factor: 5.379
Authors: Lilli Mann-Jackson; Florence M Simán; Mark A Hall; Jorge Alonzo; Julie M Linton; Scott D Rhodes Journal: Inquiry Date: 2022 Jan-Dec Impact factor: 1.730