4.4 Article

Interrupted transit and common mental disorders among migrants in Tijuana, Mexico

Journal

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY
Volume 68, Issue 5, Pages 1018-1025

Publisher

SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/00207640221099419

Keywords

Migration; migrants in transit; mental health; common mental disorders; Mexico

Categories

Funding

  1. American Academy of Arts and Sciences' Rethinking the Humanitarian Health Response to Violent Conflict Project
  2. University of California, San Francisco
  3. San Diego Center For AIDS Research (CFAR) - National Institutes of Health [P30AI036214]

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study examined the mental health of migrants in shelters in Tijuana, Mexico. It found that interrupted transit and experiencing violence during transit were associated with common mental disorders.
Background: Policies of migration contention can interrupt the transit of people on the move, forcing them to remain in wait in non-destination countries. This liminal condition might impact negatively on migrants' mental health. Aims: To assess the relationship between interrupted transit and common mental disorders (CMD; symptoms of depression or anxiety), among migrants in shelters in Tijuana, Mexico. Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted in November to December 2020 and February to April 2021. We assessed depressive symptoms with the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D-7), and symptoms of anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-2). We evaluated the association of being in interrupted transit (sent back from the United States to Mexico), as compared to having not crossed to the United States yet or planning to stay in Mexico, with having a CMD (either depressive or anxiety symptoms), as well as the association of other migration-related variables with CMD. Results: Being in interrupted transit (OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.12, 2.71]), and having experienced violence during transit (OR = 2.50, 95% CI [1.63, 3.82]) were associated with CMD. Conclusions: Interrupted transit is a potential risk factor for mental health problems among migrants. Migration and public health policies should consider the mental health consequences of interrupted transit, and promote initiatives to address the mental health needs of migrants on the move.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.4
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available