"Pues que pase lo que Dios quiera": Strategies for Dealing with Emotional Discomfort in Undocumented Mexican Immigrants Living in the United States.
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| Title: | "Pues que pase lo que Dios quiera": Strategies for Dealing with Emotional Discomfort in Undocumented Mexican Immigrants Living in the United States. |
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| Alternate Title: | "Pues que pase lo que Dios quiera": Estrategias para enfrentar el malestar emocional en inmigrantes mexicanos indocumentados residentes en Estados Unidos. |
| Authors: | Moreno López, Midiam1 (AUTHOR), Ramos Lira, Luciana1 (AUTHOR) ramosl@imp.edu.mx, Saltijeral Méndez, Ma. Teresa1 (AUTHOR), Wagner, Fernando2 (AUTHOR), Berenzon Gorn, Shoshana1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Salud Mental. Sep/Oct2024, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p229-237. 9p. |
| Subjects: | UNDOCUMENTED immigrants, PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation, INSTITUTIONAL racism, HEALTH services accessibility, MENTAL health |
| Geographic Terms: | UNITED States, MEXICO |
| Abstract (English): | Introduction. Undocumented migrants live in a state of social, legal, and political invisibility, which affects their mental health while hindering their access to health services. It is therefore essential to understand which situations are linked to their emotional discomfort and how they cope with it. Objective. To explore the sources of emotional discomfort and the strategies used to deal with it in undocumented Mexican migrants residing in an area with a recent migratory tradition. Method. Study conducted using qualitative methodology and ethnographic strategies involving four open interviews with key informants and seven semi-structured interviews with undocumented Mexican immigrants. A thematic analysis was conducted of each of them, and the main categories constructed. Results. Immigration status was the main source of emotional discomfort, creating sadness, anger, and frustration associated with direct acts of racism and discrimination. Religiosity or spirituality, relaxation, avoidance, self-control ("gritting your teeth and bearing it"), and seeking supportive social networks were the most commonly used strategies for coping with this discomfort. Discussion and conclusions. It would be advisable to implement strategies that increased the possibilities of access to professional care, when necessary, without immigrants perceiving a threat due to their immigration status and to promote more robust social networks in the community, as well as virtual networks that could provide an alternative source of care and accompaniment from their place of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Spanish): | Introducción. Los migrantes indocumentados viven en constante invisibilidad social, legal y política, esto influye negativamente en su salud mental a la vez que dificulta su acceso a servicios de salud. Por ello se plantea como relevante comprender qué situaciones se vinculan con su malestar emocional y qué hacen ante éste. Objetivo. Profundizar en las fuentes de malestar emocional y las estrategias utilizadas para afrontarlo en migrantes mexicanos indocumentados residentes en una zona con una tradición migratoria reciente. Método. Estudio realizado con metodología cualitativa y estrategias etnográficas, en el que se realizaron cuatro entrevistas abiertas con informantes clave y siete entrevistas semiestructuradas con inmigrantes mexicanos indocumentados. Se llevó a cabo un análisis temático de cada una de ellas y se construyeron las categorías más relevantes. Resultados. El propio estatus migratorio fue el principal generador de malestar emocional, destacando la tristeza, pero también el enojo y la frustración asociados con actos directos de racismo y discriminación. Para hacer frente a este malestar, se utilizan principalmente estrategias tales como la religiosidad o espiritualidad, la relajación, la evitación, el auto-control ("aguantarse") y la búsqueda de redes sociales de apoyo. Discusión y conclusiones. Es recomendable implementar estrategias que amplíen las posibilidades de acceso a la atención profesional cuando sea necesario, sin percibir una amenaza por su estatus migratorio. Asimismo, promover redes sociales más robustas en la comunidad, al igual que redes virtuales que desde su lugar de origen podrían resultar una alternativa de atención y acompañamiento. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Salud Mental is the property of Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria Ramon de la Fuente and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | MedicLatina |
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| Abstract: | Introduction. Undocumented migrants live in a state of social, legal, and political invisibility, which affects their mental health while hindering their access to health services. It is therefore essential to understand which situations are linked to their emotional discomfort and how they cope with it. Objective. To explore the sources of emotional discomfort and the strategies used to deal with it in undocumented Mexican migrants residing in an area with a recent migratory tradition. Method. Study conducted using qualitative methodology and ethnographic strategies involving four open interviews with key informants and seven semi-structured interviews with undocumented Mexican immigrants. A thematic analysis was conducted of each of them, and the main categories constructed. Results. Immigration status was the main source of emotional discomfort, creating sadness, anger, and frustration associated with direct acts of racism and discrimination. Religiosity or spirituality, relaxation, avoidance, self-control ("gritting your teeth and bearing it"), and seeking supportive social networks were the most commonly used strategies for coping with this discomfort. Discussion and conclusions. It would be advisable to implement strategies that increased the possibilities of access to professional care, when necessary, without immigrants perceiving a threat due to their immigration status and to promote more robust social networks in the community, as well as virtual networks that could provide an alternative source of care and accompaniment from their place of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 01853325 |
| DOI: | 10.17711/SM.0185-3325.2024.027 |
