Coping responses to psychosocial stressors among Mexican and Central American immigrants

Abstract

This study examined the psychosocial stressors experienced by Mexican and Central American immigrants to the United States. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 62 respondents, half of whom were males, who were nearly equally divided between Mexicans and Central Americans. Major identified group stressors were obtaining employment and related financial difficulties, the language barrier of not speaking English, and problems in adapting to the life-style of the U.S. Use of a social support network was found effective as a coping response for seeking and obtaining employment, locating a place to live, and overcoming language difficulties. Married respondents with children expressed concern about the availability of drugs and about low moral standards, which they said characterized U.S. society. Men were found to score higher on a measure of depression than were women. This may be due to greater role strain experienced by men who have limited resources to use in the care of their families.