Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ruth Paris, PhD¹, Blanca Alvarado, MSW¹, Sarah Oo, MSW², Marybeth Bronson, MSW³, Danelle E. Marable, MA⁴, and Elizabeth Miller, MD, PhD⁵. (1) Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, 617-353-3752, rparis@bu.edu, (2) Community Health Team, MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center, 151 Everett Ave, Chelsea, MA 02150, (3) Mental Health Services, MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center, 151 Everett Ave, Chelsea, MA 02150, (4) Community Benefit Program/Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St Fl 9, Boston, MA 02474, (5) Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St., 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02114

Background: Countless immigrant families in the U.S. live in extreme economic conditions, have minimal social support, and have lost their cultural framework for parenting. In addition, many have suffered trauma in their home-countries, in travel to the U.S., and in their new environments -- stressors that may be risk factors for child maltreatment in families with young children. This qualitative study, part of a home-visiting evaluation, describes the trauma of immigration for Latina participants and their experiences of the home-visiting program. Methods: Fourteen Latina mothers were interviewed 8-12 months into the program. They participated in audio-taped interviews focusing on their lives in Central America, travel to the U.S., experiences after arriving, and perceived support from home-visitors. All interviews were transcribed. Two coders worked inductively with data, analyzing them thematically using a holistic-content approach. Results: Participants described poverty, leaving young children behind, and difficult crossings to the U.S. All shared stories of isolation and depression in their first months and challenges of caring for new babies when they were unable to speak English and unfamiliar with American child rearing practices. Most partners were described as unsupportive or abusive. Participants also discussed the centrality of the home-visitor in adjusting to their new lives. Language assistance and concrete supports were essential; emotional support and parenting guidance were crucial to increasing their confidence as mothers and to breaking patterns of fear and depression. Conclusions: Implications for practice include the importance of understanding immigration and trauma when working with new immigrant mothers and young children.

Learning Objectives:

After this presentation, participants will be able to
• Articulate the range of immigration experiences and associated traumas that may influence child-rearing practices and parenting stressors among newly arriving Latinas.
• Identify key services delivered through a home-visiting program that can help to identify assets and strengths to assist new immigrant mothers in adapting to their new environments and parenting their young children.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 10295.5 kb)