Pre-Migration Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Functioning among Central American Migrants Arriving at the US Border.

ABSTRACT: In recent years, increasing numbers of families and individuals have arrived at the U.S. border from Central America, in particular, from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. This study sought to examine pre-migration trauma exposure and current mental health functioning of migrant families arriving at the U.S. border from the Northern Triangle region, with specific attention to the reasons offered for leaving their home country and the frequency with which migrant families appear to satisfy legal criteria for asylum We interviewed 234 adults in McAllen, Texas, using a structured interview and standardized questionnaires to assess exposure to trauma prior to migration, reasons for leaving their home country and symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression. We found that 191 participant

SUBMITTER: Keller A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5224987 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature