Abstract
Undocumented immigration into the United States can be coupled with significant contextual sociopolitical challenges, particularly for Mexican-origin populations which represent the largest immigrant group in the U.S. Research examining the day-to-day nuances unique to this hard-to-reach population is limited and even more so for strengths-based treatment interventions. This systematic review sought to investigate the following questions: (1) What types of trauma do undocumented Mexican immigrants experience after immigrating to the U.S.? (2) What are resiliency factors among undocumented Mexican immigrants in the U.S.? (3) What are strengths-based approaches to working with undocumented Mexican immigrants in the U.S.? This integrative review used a Multi-Method Research Synthesis (MMRS) design approach which revealed a variety of types of trauma and an associated subset of participants who endorsed subsequent clinically significant psychological distress. Gender differences were observed such that a greater proportion of men reported a history of material deprivation, warlike conditions, confinement/extortion/robbery, witnessing violence against others, and deportation when compared to women. Women were more likely than men to report experiencing domestic violence and rape. Through investigating this review’s research questions, themes and patterns emerged around acculturative stress, psychopathology and diagnoses, and migration-related loss. Implications for future research efforts were noted, including the development of culturally sensitive assessment approaches and measures through which to capture the presence and impact of traumatic experiences, and the development of conceptual frameworks for specific treatment interventions based on the resiliency factors with which this population reported aligning.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Noncitizens—United States; Mexicans—United States; Resilience (Personality trait); United States— Emigration and immigration—Psychological aspects
Date of Award
2024
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Psychology
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Carrie Castañeda-Sound
Recommended Citation
Marín, Rosa, "An examination of types of trauma, resiliency factors, and strengths-based approaches to treatment among undocumented Mexican immigrants" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1534.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1534
