Stress and depression in the context of migration among Haitians in the United States

• Published in: Health & social care in the community Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 1795 - 1806
• Main Authors: Fanfan, Dany, Rodríguez, Carmen S., Groer, Maureen, Weaver, Michael, Stacciarini, Jeanne‐Marie R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Hindawi Limited 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Caribbean communities; Community health care; Community mental health services; depression; Earthquakes; Epidemiology; Ethnic groups; ethnic minorities; Ethnicity; Haitian immigrants; Health education; Immigrants; Immigration; Mental depression; Mental health; Mental health promotion; Mental health services; Migration; migration‐related stress; Noncitizens; Pilot projects; Preventive medicine; Sampling; Stress; Vulnerability; Haiti; Haitian immigrants; depression; ethnic minorities; Caribbean communities; mental health; migration-related stress
• ISSN: 0966-0410; 1365-2524
• DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13006

Our global communities are becoming increasingly more diverse and interwoven; thus, research that enhances our understanding of the multidimensional relationship between depression and migration among distinct ethnic groups is imperative. This study examined the relationship between migration‐related stress and depression and the extent to which that relationship is modified by other factors, through the lens of the stress process model. This cross‐sectional pilot study used purposive sampling methods to recruit 76 first‐generation Haitian immigrants living in South and West Florida from February 2018‐May 2018. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple regressions were utilized to assess associations among migration‐related stress (Demands of Immigration Scale), depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD), Zanmi Lasante Depression Symptom Inventory (ZLDSI)), and key demographic variables. Findings showed a strong positive correlation between migration‐related stress and depression (CESD (β =.606, 95% CI [.296, .556]) and ZLDSI (β = .624, 95% CI [.242, .440]). Relative to the standardized coefficient, migration‐related stress was the strongest predictor of depression after controlling for other predictors. Presence at the 2010 earthquake was the only significant moderator, showing an amplifying effect between migration‐related stress and depression (ZLDSI) for those in Haiti during the 2010 earthquake. Consideration of pre‐migration factors and the degree of migration‐related stress encountered while adapting to life post‐migration is critical because they play a significant role in shaping immigrants’ depression realities. Community‐based services that incorporate or partner with established immigrants to strengthen support for the most vulnerable immigrants early on after migration could serve to mitigate migration‐related stressors and facilitate mental health promotion and prevention.