Abstract

Our mixed-method study examined the mental health of Latinx children in migrant farmworker (LMFW) families, assessed whether acculturative stressors contributed to mental health problems, and examined whether family warmth and support counteracted the negative effects of acculturative stressors on mental health. Participants were children aged 6–18 (N = 80, mean age = 11.71, 55% male) participating in two summer Migrant Education Programs in Indiana. Overall, we found support for associations between acculturative stressors and poor mental health in LMFW children utilizing multiple data sources that included child self-reports, teacher reports, and qualitative interviews. We also found evidence in qualitative interviews and teacher reports for the positive association between perceived maternal supportive parenting and children’s mental health. Findings suggested that while LMFW children are vulnerable to anxiety and depressive problems, perceptions of family support (particularly from mothers) are especially salient for their resilience and mental health. Differences by age and child sex are also discussed.

摘要

我们的混合方法研究检查了农民工 (LMFW) 家庭中拉丁裔儿童的心理健康，评估了文化适应压力源是否会导致心理健康问题，并检查家庭温暖和支持是否抵消了文化适应压力源对心理健康的负面影响。参与者是 6-18 岁的儿童（N = 80，平均年龄 = 11.71，55% 男性）参加印第安纳州的两个夏季移民教育项目。总体而言，我们利用包括儿童自我报告、教师报告和定性访谈在内的多种数据源，发现 LMFW 儿童的文化适应压力源与不良心理健康之间的关联得到了支持。我们还在定性访谈和教师报告中发现了母亲支持性育儿与儿童心理健康之间正相关的证据。研究结果表明，虽然 LMFW 儿童容易受到焦虑和抑郁问题的影响，但对家庭支持（尤其是来自母亲）的看法对于他们的复原力和心理健康尤其重要。还讨论了年龄和儿童性别的差异。