Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Protective psychosocial resources in the lives of Latina migrant farmworkers.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

Previous research has found that female migrant farmworkers (MFWs) report greater levels of depression and anxiety than male MFWs. The main objective of this study was to identify some of the most salient reserve capacity resources (i.e., psychosocial factors that can protect against and mitigate the effects of stressors) available to Latina MFWs. Secondarily, we aimed to examine the relationships between the presence of these resources and depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. Participants underwent an intensive semistructured interview and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Content analyses of interviews revealed 10 psychosocial reserve capacity resources: religion/God as a source of emotional support, satisfaction with social support, feeling supported by romantic partner, having somebody to confide in, having friends in the United States, showing hope toward the future, having an end goal (e.g., saving for a house in Mexico), feeling a sense of control over her life, showing pride in the fact that she is able to support her family through farm work, and showing endurance. The aggregate protective influence of the available psychosocial resources was negatively associated with depression (r = −.35), hopelessness (r = −.28), and suicidal ideation (r = −.29); however, none of these associations were statistically significant. Although stress is inherent to the MFW lifestyle, we found many protective psychosocial resources available to help mitigate stress. Latina MFWs can be highly resilient in the face of exposure to structural conditions that keep them in poverty and are detrimental to their mental health.

Comments

Copyright American Psychological Association

Publication Title

Journal of Rural Mental Health

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000038

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