Examining the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma due to Immigration-Related Policies among Mixed-Status Latinx Youth Open Access

Abstract

Introduction. In the United States there is a total of 37% of Latinx families are part of mixed-status household contains at least one undocumented family member. These families face significant distress due to various factors such as migration, immigration political climate, family separation and deportation. These anti-immigrant policies are rooted in the long enduring history of oppression.

Methods. Six in-depth focus groups were conducted to explore the relationship of immigration-related policies to intergenerational trauma and identify conditions and characteristics that foster resilience among mixed-status Latinx families. Additionally, a sociodemographic form was given which entailed migration-related demographics and adapted Perceived Immigration Policy Scale (PIPES). The focus group guide includes questions that explore mixed-status Latinx experiences including undocumented status perceptions and concluded with an immigration-related political analysis led from participants.

Results. A total of 62.16% of participants indicated that they experienced a friend or family detained by immigration official indicated and 56.76% indicated that they have a friend or family member being deported. Subscale threat to family, children’s vulnerability and total PIPES scale displayed a high PIPES score indicating high levels of perceived immigration policy impact. Analysis showed five emergent themes describing how structural racism through immigration-related polices results in the experience of traumatic stress which include hypervigilance, shame, and helplessness.

Conclusions. Immigration related policies highlight the ways in which structural racism perpetuate the intergenerational trauma impact on mixed-status Latinx youth resulting in traumatic stress. Participant’s recommendations were the following: universal healthcare, abolish prison to detention center pipeline, allow individuals to obtain driver licenses and the implementation of undocumented worker fair wages and rights.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................... 7 

CHAPTER 3: METHODS ............................................................................................................ 21 

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS .............................................................................................................. 26 

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................... 44 

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 51 

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Public Health Education
Keyword	Intergenerational Trauma Immigration-Related Policies Mixed-Status Latinx Youth
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Briana Woods-Jaeger , Emory University
Committee Members	Dawn L. Comeau, Emory University Janet Cummings , Emory University

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