Immigration-related stressors, mental health needs, and coping practices in Bangladeshi immigrant families in New York City

• In Event: 2-072 - Migration and Immigration, Acculturation and Related Stress: Influence on Children’s Wellbeing

Integrative Statement

Background: Recent national anti-immigrant policies and renewed anti-Muslim rhetoric have allowed a climate of vulnerability and threat in immigrant communities (Ayon, 2017; Williams & Medlock, 2017). Research indicates that the NYC Bangladeshi community faces some unique linguistic, social and economic barriers that might influence health and well-being (Islam et al., 2013); for example, approximately 30% of Bangladeshis is NYC live below the poverty line, compared to a citywide rate of 19% (US Census Bureau). Qualitative research with Bangladeshi community members in NYC indicates that within this community, health is conceived as both an individual responsibility and a familial/collective resource (Dutta & Jamil, 2013) and that spaces of high ethnic density present a mix of opportunities and challenges for Bangladeshi immigrants (Chakrabarti, 2010). Using data collected in the wake of Trump’s increased anti-immigrant rhetoric, this study examines quantitative data from Bangladeshi immigrant families across New York City to: (1) characterize the Bangladeshi community’s immigration-related stressors and needs in NYC; and (2) study the association between immigration-related stressors and Bangladeshi families’ well-being.

Methods: Bilingual, Bengali research assistants recruited Bangladeshi immigrant families (n=73) from immigrant enclaves throughout New York City. Parents filled out surveys assessing perceived discrimination, social isolation, threat to family and children’s vulnerability due to immigration policy (PIPES; Ayon, 2017), stress and tension symptoms (Tension scale; Karasz et al., 2013), coping practices, financial strain, and their child’s symptoms of anxiety, depression and anger.

Results: Seventy-three parents (82% mothers) participated in the survey. Forty-nine respondents were U.S. citizens, twenty-one were legal residents and three were undocumented. Four participants indicated that their spouse was undocumented and one participant indicated their spouse was in ICE detention. Parents had been in the U.S. an average of 10 years (SD=5.4 years). Bivariate correlations indicate that legal vulnerability (e.g. being undocumented and/or having an undocumented spouse; Brabeck & Xu, 2010) was associated with reports of social isolation and perceived threat to family. Legal vulnerability was also positively associated with reports of symptoms of depression and anxiety in children. Preliminary data analyses indicate that parents most frequent methods of coping with stress and worry included using social media (40%), talking to family and friends (30%) and going outside for walks (19%). Roughly half (51%) of the sample indicated that they believed that the way they felt affected their child.

Conclusions: Legal vulnerability is associated with tension, stress, and social isolation among Bangladeshi parents. Legal vulnerability is also associated with children’s symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Authors

• Sharmin Hoque, NYU School of Medicine
  Presenting Author

• Gabriela Barajas-Gonzalez, NYU School of Medicine
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sabrina Cheng, NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health
  Non-Presenting Author

• Gutkin Stephanie, NYU School of Medicine
  Non-Presenting Author