Posttraumatic Stress in Immigrants From Central America and Mexico

¹ California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles
² University of California, Los Angeles, School of Social Welfare
³ Department of Education at Stanford University in Stanford, California

2235 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90057

International migration has been associated with increased levels of psychological disturbance, particularly among refugees who have fled from war or political unrest. This study examined self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, generalized distress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a community sample of 258 immigrants from Central America and Mexico and 329 native-born Mexican Americans and Anglo Americans. Immigrants were found to have higher levels of generalized distress than native-born Americans. Fifty-two percent of Central American immigrants who migrated as a result of war or political unrest reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD, compared with 49 percent of Central Americans who migrated for other reasons and 25 percent of Mexican immigrants. The authors call for more research to document the psychosocial aspects of migration.

Note:

Preparation ofthis manuscript was supported by grant MH24854 awarded to Dr. Padilla by the National Institute of Mental Health, Division of Biometry and Applied Sciences, minority research resources branch.

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