Literature Review Resources

Number

Article Information

Added to RefWorks? (Y or N)

1.

Keller, A., Joscelyne, A., Granski, M., & Rosenfeld, B. (2017). Pre-Migration Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Functioning among Central American Migrants Arriving at the US Border

Y

Plos One [PLoS One] 2017 Jan 10; Vol. 12 (1), pp. e0168692. Date of Electronic Publication: 20170110 (Print Publication: 2017).

The authors’ study yielded concrete data to rebuke the common stereotype that “the majority of Central American immigrants are merely economically motivated to enter America. Instead, structured interviews by the researchers revealed high rates of trauma exposure prior to, during, and after entering America, “often including murdered family members, sexual and physical assault, death threats, extortion and kidnapping” (p. 7). The question of how to deal with trauma experienced by these immigrants was a major part of the study. The study targeted 234 immigrant adults in McAllen, Texas, using a structured interview and standardized questionnaires to assess exposure to trauma, reasons for leaving their home country and symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression. The researchers concluded that 191 participants (83%) cited violence as a reason for fleeing their country, 119 individuals (69%) did not report the events to the police out of fear of gang-related retaliation or police corruption, and 90% (n =204) reported being afraid to return to their native country.

Based on self-report symptom checklists, 32% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for PTSD (n = 51), 24% for depression (n = 36), and 17% for both disorders (n = 25)” (p. 1). The extend of this problem between immigrants and PTSD was strongly exemplified. Advocacy and social justice themes clearly resonate within this article as the authors urge “The need for more information about Central American families arriving at the U.S. border is particularly important given that families have few legal protections” (p. 2). The need to protect child immigrants is also verified by the fact that “Children and families appear particularly vulnerable to the traumatizing, unpredictable environment of immigration detention” (p. 2). The article also confirms how some ethnic groups are more at risk as “these data demonstrate high rates of trauma and psychological distress, and suggest that roughly two thirds of individuals from the Northern Triangle region of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala might meet the legal requirements for asylum in the U.S” (p. 8).

2.

Vaughn, M. G., Salas-Wright, C. P., Huang, J., Qian, Z., Terzis, L. D., & Helton, J. J. (2017). Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Immigrants to the United States.

N

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(10), 1543. doi:10.1177/0886260515589568

These researchers assert the presence of a prevalent “immigrant paradox” (p. 1) with in the United States and urges research attention to the study of adverse childhood experiences, such as neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and witnessing violence, among immigrants in the United States. Waves I and II data from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) is included in this study to address these gaps. In sum, their results posited that first-generation immigrants to the United States “are less likely to have experienced physical and sexual abuse and witness domestic violence. However, likely due to cultural circumstances, first-generation immigrants were more likely to report experiences that are deemed neglectful by Western standards” (p. 1543), offering strong implications for clinical and research work.

3.

Morrison, E. J., Clark, M. M., Wieland, M. L., Weis, J. A., Hanza, M. K., Meiers, S. J., & ... Sia, I. G. (2017). Relationship Between Negative Mood and Health Behaviors in an Immigrant and Refugee Population.

N

Journal of Immigrant And Minority Health, 19(3), 655-664. doi:10.1007/s10903-016-0506-z

These researchers draw greater attention to the need for mood management among U.S. immigrants. The writers reveal how Immigrants typically experience an escalation of negative health behaviors after their arrival to the United States. Thus, they conclude how “Negative mood is associated with poorer health behaviors in the general population; however, this relationship is understudied in immigrant populations” (p. 655). By target both teen and adult immigrant participants using a community-based participatory research approach, the researchers collected data based on mood, nutrition, and physical activity. Their results found that “Adolescents with positive mood drank less regular soda, and demonstrated more minutes, higher levels, and greater social support for physical activity (all ps < .05). Adults with positive mood reported more snacking on fruits/vegetables, greater self-efficacy for physical activity, and better physical well-being (all ps < .05). Negative mood was associated with low physical activity level and poor nutritional habits in adolescent and adult immigrants” (p. 655). This study is vital to enable us to better formulate community-based programs for mood management and healthy lifestyle change for immigrant populations.

4.

Nosè, M., Ballette, F., Bighelli, I., Turrini, G., Purgato, M., Tol, W., & ... Barbui, C. (2017). Psychosocial interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder in refugees and asylum seekers resettled in high-income countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Y

Plos ONE, 12(2), 1-16. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0171030

Due to the fact that immigrants often face higher rates and symptoms of PTSD, these authors evaluated the impact of psychosocial interventions for decreasing PTSD symptoms within control groups, using narrative exposure therapy, a manualized short-term variant of cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus, and other methods. The results suggested how “With respect to PTSD symptoms, the findings suggest that between four and five refugees and asylum seekers with PTSD need to be treated in order for one to benefit” (p. 9).

5.

Jamil, H., Nassar-McMillan, S. C., Lambert, R. (2004). The Aftermath of the Gulf War: Mental Health Issues Among Iraqi Gulf War Veteran Refugees in the United States.

Y

Journal of Mental Health Counseling. Oct2004, Vol. 26 Issue 4, p295-308. 14p. 3 Charts.

The subsequent effects of the Gulf War of the 1990s have resulted in a long-term problem of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, panic, and anxiety for both the veterans and those individuals that fled the Iraq regime of the then president of the country Saddam Hussein. Some of the refugees and veterans of the war suffered from high levels of the above illnesses. Based on the assessments conducted during Mental Health Counseling of the war veterans and Iraqi refugees, it is estimated that a more significant member of these groups of people would report further problem of depression, panic, and anxiety symptoms than their non-PTSD counterparts

According to reports, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has believed to be within the U.S. veterans at an alarming rate that ranges from 1.9% (Barrett et al., 2002; Iowa Persian Gulf Study Group [IPGSG], 1997) and up to 10.1%, this depends on the deployment status (Feussner, 2002); depression was listed as been at 17.0% (IPGSG), and anxiety at 4.0% (IPGSG). Some Iraqi nationals who seek refugee status in the United States, including the Iraqi military veterans who fought along with their U.S counterparts were subsequently granted refugee status by the United States at the conclusion of the war because of their pledged allegiance to it. (Nassar-McMillan & Hakim-Larson, 2003).

Research revealed that refugees from combat situations such as the Gulf War have significantly reported high levels of PTSD (e.g., Blair, 2000; Mollica, Wyshak, & Lavelle, 1987), depression (e.g., Blair, 2000, 2001), and anxiety (Lee, Lee, Chun, Lee, & Yoon, 2001; Tang & Fox, 2001). The symptoms detected in the Iraqi refuges is the characteristic of immigrant, refugee, and exile issues. Those Iraqi veterans refugees of the GW, in the United States as immigrants, are part of a neglected population in terms of mental health treatment. The lifestyles of these refugees is indeed similar to those of other refugee veteran groups such as host of losses and traumas they have experienced, and which have made them to be vulnerable to maladies such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and the like (Kira, 2001). There is a serious need to better understand the needs and issues among this group so as to provide them with more effective mental health services (Nassar-McMillan & Hakim-Larson, 2003).

6.

Nguyen, A. (2017). Mosque-Based Social Support and Collective and Personal Self-Esteem Among Young Muslim American Adults.

N

Academic Journal: Race & Social Problems, 9(2), 95. doi:10.1007/s12552-017-9196-y

To foster great resilience, support, and self-esteem among young Muslim American adults, Nguyen (2017) investigated the association between religious supports, congregational relationships and personal and collective self-esteem within this targeted population of clients. The author asserted how “mosque-based emotional support was associated with higher levels of collective self-esteem but was unassociated with personal self-esteem” (p. 95). This study is interesting to exhibit the diverse roles and effects of personal and collective self-esteem. While they are indeed interrelated constructs, the author cautions that they “are also conceptually discrete aspects self-evaluations” (p. 95).

7.

Vesely, C. K., Letiecq, B. L., & Goodman, R. D. (2017). Immigrant Family Resilience in Context: Using a Community-Based Approach to Build a New Conceptual Model

Y

Journal of Family Theory & Review, 9(1), 93. doi:10.1111/jftr.12177

When assessing how immigrants can contribute positively to American society as well as exude their own affirmation and growth, these authors highlight the eminent obstacles and pressures on immigrant families in the United States to acculturate and become self-sufficient. For example, under political talks of “wall” and “highly regulated by restrictive and punitive policies and programs that may hinder their ability to cope with exposure to trauma and to build resilience” (p. 93), these authors maintain that U.S. policies and practices may actually “exacerbate immigration-related trauma experiences and/or create new traumas and stressors for families” (p. 93). They justify these arguments using exemplar cases from a community-based participatory research project in partnership with immigrant women. Finally, they offer “a new conceptual model for understanding how macro-level forces may impede immigrants' resilience. The model includes uncertainty and family separation; ecosystemic trauma and stress, including institutional betrayal trauma; limited navigational capital; and erosion of collectivism and community solidarity” (p. 93).

8.

Wright, A., Talia, Y., Aldhalimi, A., Broadbridge, C., Jamil, H., Lumley, M., & Arnetz, J. (2017). Kidnapping and Mental Health in Iraqi Refugees: The Role of Resilience.

N

Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health, 19(1), 98. doi:10.1007/s10903-015-0340-8

The authors honed their study to examine psychological effects upon Iraqi refugees upon arrival to the U.S. and 1 year later. These subjects were examined closely in regards to prior trauma exposure, including kidnapping. Then “One year later refugees were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression disorder (MDD) using the SCID-I. Individual resilience and narratives of the kidnapping were also assessed. Twenty-six refugees (9 %) reported being kidnapped. Compared to those not kidnapped, those who were had a higher prevalence of PTSD, but not MDD, diagnoses. Analyses examining kidnapping victims revealed that higher resilience was associated with lower rates of PTSD” (p. 98). The article is integral because it convinces us to examine risk and resilience mechanisms to empower and treat immigrant and refugee clients.

9.

Karam, D., Oskooii, K. A. R., & Barreto, M. A. (2011). Mosques as American Institutions: Mosque Attendance, Religiosity and Integration into the Political System among American Muslims

Y

Academic Journal: Religions, Vol 2, Issue 4, Pp 504-524 (2011). edsdoj.4b42131523a4fd59e2be4560b2e5d2b. https://doaj.org/article/d4b42131523a4fd59e2be4560b2e5d2b

This research suggests that religious organizations whether Christianity, Islam, Hindu or Jewish Synagogues and others and the respective places of worship continue to play important and central roles in the United States Politics. The question on many people’s lips is what role does the mosque play here, and does it actually play any significant or a role that is different from those played by churches or synagogues under the current political dispensation? Scholars argue that Islamic religion and as a culture cannot be compared with the liberal and democratic American values; this is due to its inconsistencies with the Western culture; rather, it is viewed as having a direct conflict with the West; a view that is also shared among European countries and popularized by the media and a few of their government officials who have characterized Islam as an enemy of freedom and democracy. According to a research conducted by the Muslim American Public Opinion Survey (MAPOS), which has a very significant sample size of American Muslim respondents (N = 1410), contend that the mosque is as an important sign for Muslim’s social and political integration into American society. It showed that those Muslims worshippers who attend the mosque regularly would likely prefer to identify themselves as American Muslims instead by national origin; similarly, these individuals would also more likely to believe mosques encourage Muslims to integrate into U.S. society. Furthermore, research and analysis demonstrates that mosque goers and their involvement is far more than creating a common identity among American Muslims, but with an ideology that leads to more political participation in the U.S. While in contrast to prevailing wisdom, the research by MAPOS showed that more religiously devout Muslims would more importantly like to support political participation.

10.

Vargas, E. D., Sanchez, G. R., & Juárez, M. (2017). Fear by Association: Perceptions of Anti-Immigrant Policy and Health Outcomes.

Y

Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, doi:10.1215/03616878-3802940

This article and its authors focused on the political anxiety around the U.S while it experiences a modernized era in policies on immigration and immigrant activities, particularly intense efforts at enforcing anti-immigration policies in the country, including issues relating to racism, which in recent times has resulted in adverse and unfavorable impacts on people immigrating (immigrants) into the U.S and their health issues, such as mental health. In the 2015 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Latino National Health and Immigration Survey, the research authors discovered gloomy and contradictory health consequences that are linked with people from Latin American countries and their impressions about living in United States with negative anti-immigration policies, reduced general health, and heightened issues with mental health. Fitting together the works of public health scholars, the article contends with the idea of a substantial link between this fierce political environment and policies relating to adverse mental health of refugees/immigrants. This research did not only proved that this weak and gloomy health consequences that are linked to immigration policies on refugees/immigrants, but generally to Latinos.