ABSTRACT
With over 400 harmful immigration policy changes in the past 4 years, Latinx adolescents and families nationwide are developing within a context of extreme anti-immigrant sentiment (Dismantling and reconstructing the U.S. immigration system: A catalog of changes under the Trump presidency, Migration Policy Institute, 2020). This paper introduces the Multitiered Model of Oppression and Discrimination (MMOD), a conceptual model for understanding the impacts of multiple levels of discrimination on the well-being and development of Latinx immigrant adolescents. Interpersonal discrimination (Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2010, 32, 259), community-held stereotypes (Social Psychology of Education, 2001, 5, 201), institutional policies (Children and Youth Services Review, 2018, 87, 192), and structural practices (Journal of Criminal Justice, 2020, 66, 1) can negatively impact well-being and development among these adolescents. Culturally sustaining interventions, civic engagement and mobilization, and policies targeting inequitable policies and practices will provide healing and an avenue for liberation.
Subject(s)
Emigrants and Immigrants , Mental Disorders , Adolescent , Child , Emigration and Immigration , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Race RelationsABSTRACT
COVID-19 has exacerbated the challenges that newcomer refugee and immigrant families face. While many of the supports that schools typically offer were disrupted by the pandemic, school-based assistance remains critical in this challenging context. In addition to education-related challenges, many newcomer families have been disproportionately impacted across financial, employment, and health contexts. The present study highlights the perspectives of newcomer families to understand their experiences, stressors, and ability to cope during the pandemic, as well as how their school communities can offer support to mitigate the potential for increased disparities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 parents (Mage = 38.68) and 13 students (Mage = 14.31) engaged in a school-based intervention for newcomer students. Among students, 71.4% were identified as male, and the majority of caregivers were mothers (85.7%). Newcomer families reported significant challenges due to COVID-19, including difficult social-emotional adjustment, financial challenges, and significant academic difficulties. Themes also emerged related to sources of support and coping. Implications for how schools can further support newcomer families given these challenges and strengths are considered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
