Analyzing LatinX Mental Health Expert Interviews using MaxQDA, a Mixed-Methods Study

Session Type: Workshop

Abstract

Policy changes beginning in 2017 have altered immigration proceedings and increased the amount of LatinX population in detention and eligible for deportation and separation. The American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association, among other organizations, have raised concerns for the detrimental and possibly irreversible mental health effects of these immigration changes on LatinX youths. This exploratory study sought to examine how family separation and deportation has affected the mental health of Latinx youths aged 13-18 years.
Four semi-structured expert interviews were conducted including PhD researchers in the field of child and adolescent development with a focus on Latinx mental health. These interviews were recorded and transcribed using Temi and then coded. The coded transcripts of the four interviews were imputed into MaxQDA for analysis.
After the fourth interviews were coded, 5 family constructs and 15 sub constructs were identified. The codebook was organized by family constructs further divided into key sub constructs. Preliminary findings revealed that the researchers in public health and psychology tended to believe that recent policy changes (within the past 4 years and/or past ten years) have worsened mental health and other health outcomes for the LatinX adolescents. The importance of the school system and the family structure, or familismo, as support systems for LatinX adolescents emerged as a larger theme. Findings also indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a potential negative mediator in the mental health of LatinX adolescent populations, increasing anxiety and depression in this population.

Sub Unit

• Solicited Content: Qualitative Research Workshop

Leader

• Camille Basurto, Liberty University