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

Partner Organizations:

Ser Familia, Inc.

Thrive Research Lab

Why is this project important?

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. This community-engaged pilot study examines how stress related to COVID-19 is impacting the mental health and risk for child maltreatment among Latinx immigrant families, and how unique factors such as immigration policy effects and cultural and community resources influence this impact.

Key Contribution to Science:

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.

The research team 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.

  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.