The psychology of critical consciousness among immigrants: Reflection and activism responding to oppressive immigration policy.

The psychological construct of critical consciousness refers to engaging in analyses of systems of oppression and in collective action to change these conditions. This article reviews the recent scientific literature pertaining critical consciousness among immigrants, a large population in the U.S. that is vulnerable to intersecting systems of oppression. This review focuses on a) the context of oppressive immigration policy fostering psychological distress and motivating critical consciousness, b) the links between critical analyses and social activism among immigrants, particularly undocumented youth, and c) the healthy outcomes promoted by critical consciousness, as well as specific interventions aiming to foster these outcomes. This review may be helpful to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to promote the psychological wellbeing of immigrants.

Latinx trans immigrants' survival of torture in U.S. detention: A qualitative investigation of the psychological impact of abuse and mistreatment.

BACKGROUND: A trans person is murdered every 3 days in the world, with the majority of these murders occurring in Latin America. This violence is a motivating factor for Latinx trans immigrants to immigrate to the United States. Regardless of whether individuals may be able to remain in the U.S., trans immigrants and asylum seekers are often held in detention facilities until immigration courts decide their cases. Although there are several standards of care and guidelines produced for trans and nonbinary (TNB) people who are held in detention, various reports have indicated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not or inappropriately implemented these guidelines, thereby incurring and increasing risk of harm upon TNB immigrants. AIMS: This qualitative study used thematic analysis to provide an understanding of the psychological impact that the systemic power of US detention proceedings had on the lives of Latinx, trans immigrants. METHOD: The semi-structured interview protocol and implementation of this study was developed in collaboration with two national Latinx, LGBTQ immigrant advocacy organizations. The sample included 30 trans participants, between the ages of 18 and 52 (M = 23) who immigrated from El Salvador (40%), Guatemala (23%), México (17%), Honduras (17%), and Peru (3%). RESULTS: Participants reported being subject to debilitating and torturous conditions in "La Hielera", torture and abusive treatment by detention authorities, being denied access to basic human needs and medical care, and held in solitary confinement as punishment. This dehumanization, abuse, and transphobia in detention incurred psychological sequelae on participants including trauma, anxiety and depression, suicidal ideation, and a preference to self-deport. DISCUSSION: Implications include calls to abolish immigration detention, recommendations for mental health providers, and an overall restructuring of policies and services for humane asylum seeking processes for trans, Latinx immigrants.

Emotional Reactions and Coping of Mexican Mixed-Status Immigrant Families in Anticipation of the 2016 Presidential Election.

The present study illuminates the emotions of mixed-status families as they anticipated the 2016 Presidential election. From a 6-year longitudinal case study of four Mexican immigrant families, we present interviews from May of 2016, prior to the presidential primaries, and from November of 2016, the day before or the day of the presidential election. Using a multiple case study method (Stake, 2006, Multiple case study analysis. Guilford Press, New York; Yin, 2014, Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). Sage, Los Angeles, CA), our primary goal was to describe how immigrant Mexican adults and their preadolescent and adolescent children (or grandchildren) personally and collectively reacted emotionally to the events leading up to the 2016 presidential election, and how they managed and coped with their emotions. Our secondary goal was to explain how their emotional reactions changed over time and were influenced by age and immigration status. Initially, participants expressed concern and fear about the anti-immigration rhetoric by the conservative political movement, but largely felt reassured that such rhetoric would not prevail. In the days immediately preceding the election, a notable change seemed apparent among all participants, regardless of immigration status. They expressed having intense emotions ranging from fear and angst to disbelief, anger, and denial, which they attempted to manage through external (e.g., community involvement, activism, solidarity) and internal (e.g., family communication, cognitive strategies) actions. Older adolescents had a better understanding of the implications of the election for their family than younger adolescents did. We provide recommendations for family practice and policy aimed to support and advocate on behalf of immigrant families.

El presente estudio explica las emociones de las familias cuyos miembros tienen distinta situación migratoria mientras esperaban la elección presidencial de 2016. De un caso práctico longitudinal de seis años de cuatro familias de inmigrantes mexicanos, presentamos entrevistas de mayo de 2016, antes de las primarias presidenciales, y de noviembre de 2016, el día antes o el día de la elección presidencial. Utilizando un método de casos prácticos múltiples (Stake, 2006; Yin, 2014), nuestro objetivo principal fue describir cómo los adultos inmigrantes mexicanos y sus hijos preadolescentes y adolescentes (o nietos) reaccionaron personal y colectivamente a los acontecimientos previos a la elección presidencial de 2016, y cómo manejaron y afrontaron sus emociones. Nuestro objetivo secundario fue explicar cómo sus reacciones emocionales cambiaron con el tiempo y estuvieron influenciadas por la edad y la situación inmigratoria. Inicialmente, los participantes expresaron preocupación y miedo acerca de la retórica contra los inmigrantes por parte del movimiento político conservador, pero en su gran mayoría estaban convencidos de que dicha retórica no prevalecería. Los días inmediatamente anteriores a la elección, se hizo evidente un cambio notable entre todos los participantes, independientemente de la situación de inmigración. Ellos dijeron tener emociones intensas, desde miedo y angustia hasta incredulidad, ira y rechazo, que intentaron manejar mediante medidas externas (p. ej.: participación en la comunidad, activismo, solidaridad) e internas (p. ej.: comunicación familiar, estrategias cognitivas). Los adolescentes mayores tuvieron una mejor comprensión de las implicancias de la elección para su familia que los adolescentes más jóvenes. Ofrecemos recomendaciones para la práctica familiar orientadas a apoyar y a abogar por las familias inmigrantes.

Trans individuals' facilitative coping: An analysis of internal and external processes.

Existing research on trans individuals has primarily focused on their negative experiences and has disproportionately examined coming-out processes and identity development stages. Using a grounded theory approach, this qualitative study sought to examine facilitative coping processes among trans-identified individuals. Facilitative coping was operationalized as processes whereby individuals seek social support, learn new skills, change behaviors to positively adapt, and find alternative means to seek personal growth and acceptance. The sample included 15 participants who self-identified with a gender identity that was different from their assigned sex at birth. Results yielded a total of nine overarching themes: Accepting Support from Others, Actions to Increase Protection, Active Engagement Throughout the Transition Process, Actively Seeking Social Interactions, Engaging in Exploration, Internal Processes Leading to Self-Acceptance, Self-Efficacy, Shifts Leading to Embracing Change and Flexibility, and Utilization of Agency. Based on the analysis, a theoretical model emerged that highlighted the importance of internal and external coping processes in facilitating gender identity development and navigating stressors among trans individuals. Clinical implications focusing on how to implement facilitative coping processes are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record