Examining the Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Undocumented Latinx Immigrant Families

Principal Investigator:

Briana Woods-Jaeger, MPH, PhD |Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health 

Co-Investigator:

Emily Lemon, MPH |Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health

Community Partner:

Ser Familia, Inc.

Research Gap:

Recent calls for more research on the impact of immigration enforcement and discrimination on health of undocumented Latinx immigrants are further heightened in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that is disproportionately impacting Latinx communities.

Description:

We conducted an explanatory mixed-methods design, beginning with a cross-sectional survey with Latinx parents who are undocumented or have an undocumented family member to examine (1) the association between CDC defined COVID-related stressors and parent depression, PTSD, and cumulative family risk for child maltreatment; and (2) the extent to which structural risk factors (immigration policy) and community protective factors (cultural and community resources) moderate the association between COVID-related stressors and cumulative family risk for child maltreatment. This was followed by in-depth interviews with Ser Familia frontline staff to contextualize findings.

Aims:

  1. Assess the association between COVID-related stressors and parent depression, PTSD, and cumulative family risk among Latinx undocumented or mixed-status families.
  2. Examine the extent to which structural risk factors (immigration policy) and community protective factors (cultural and community resources) moderate the association between COVID-related stressors and cumulative family risk among Latinx undocumented and mixed-status families.
  3. Explore perceived barriers and facilitators of reducing structural risk factors (immigration policy) and promoting community protective factors (cultural and community resources) among frontline staff that support undocumented and mixed- status Latinx families. 

Why is this study important?

Results show high levels of COVID-19 related economic hardship, food insecurity, and housing insecurity as well as high levels of perceived threat to family from statewide immigrant-related policies among Latinx parents who are undocumented or living in mixed-status families.

Further, perceived threat to family from statewide immigrant-related policies is associated with higher depressive symptoms and PTSD symptoms. Study findings support the need to prioritize policy interventions as mental health interventions.

Updates and Results
  • Key findings include that 71% of the sample had one or more community protective factors.
  • Participants experienced an average of 2 of the 5 CDC provided stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 42% of the sample experienced 3 or more of these 5 stressors. 
  • Immigration policy effects and their prevalence in survey results were threat to family (family safety, fear of family separation); high child vulnerability (impact of immigration policy on child's safety, fear or emotional well being), social exclusion, and discrimination.
  • 63% of the sample reported severe depressive symptoms, 54% reported symptoms that could indicate an anxiety diagnosis, and 37% reported levels of symptoms that could indicate PTSD diagnosis. 
  • Frontline interviews included 3 key themes: 1) the political environment and immigration enforcement affects Latinx immigrant families mental health in Georgia, 2) Policies that excluded undocumented and mixed-status families worsened the effects of the pandemic on mental health and child maltreatment risk, and 3) the 2020 elections provided hope and relief to families, but there is a need for lasting policy change to reduce mental health and child maltreatment risks. 
  • Analysis results indicated that COVID stressors did not affect parent PTSD or depression and that immigration policy was a strong predictor of parent PTSD and depression. 
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