The Behavioral Health of Venezuelan Families in Diaspora: A Cross-National Study of Migration-Related Stress and Resilience

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

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Abstract

The United Nations estimates that nearly 8 million people of Venezuelan descent (PVD) have fled their home country since 2015. At present, PVD are among the fastest-growing groups in the United States (US). Remarkably, almost no systematic research—excluding our formative work—has examined the wellbeing of PVD in the US. Findings from our cross-sectional formative research with convenience samples of PVD youth and parents suggest that depression and alcohol misuse are critical challenges for this population, and that many PVD are exposed to high levels of stress. To address this critical research gap, we aim to conduct the definitive study of the PVD in the US with a comparison sample in Colombia—a study that will provide knowledge vital to addressing the immediate and longer-term needs of PVD families, and inform future efforts to support families exposed to high levels of stress, as well as challenges related to depression and alcohol misuse. The comparison with PVD in Colombia is essential for identifying aspects of life in the US that may uniquely informing context-specific and cross-national solutions to a hemispheric challenge. We examine how exposure to stress influences family functioning and, in turn, parent and youth behavioral health outcomes (i.e., depression, alcohol misuse). We also examine how key protective factors buffer the effects of stress. This research project is oriented around three specific aims: [1] Identify risk and protective factors related to depression and alcohol misuse among PVD youth and their parents, recruiting dyads in the US (n = 500) and Colombia (n = 250). [2]: Determine the mechanisms by which risk factors (e.g., hunger, stress) impact depression and alcohol misuse among PVD families. We hypothesize that exposure to stress will negatively influence family functioning and, in turn, increase risk of depression and alcohol misuse among youth and parents and that exposure to multiple forms of stress will amplify this relationship. [3] Disseminate findings to accelerate efforts to support PVD families, via reports and in-person and online workshops to help clinical and health providers to improve practice. We have designed a study that will provide critical insight to address the needs of PVD families immediately. Moreover, it will yield practice-relevant knowledge generalizable to inform future efforts to support families exposed to high levels of stress, as well as challenges related to depression and alcohol misuse.