Chronic Pain and Psychological Distress Among Undocumented Latinx Immigrants in the USA

BACKGROUND

Undocumented immigration is often accompanied by multiple and complex stressors, which over time may increase the risk for chronic pain.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with psychological distress among undocumented Latinx immigrants in the USA.

DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS

We used respondent-driven sampling to collect and analyze data from clinical interviews with 254 undocumented Latinx immigrants, enabling inference to a population of 22,000.

MAIN MEASURES

Chronic pain was assessed using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) Chronic Conditions Module. For all analyses, inferential statistics accounted for design effects and sample weights to produce weighted estimates. We conducted logistic regression analyses to assess the association between chronic pain and psychological distress after controlling for age, years in the USA, and history of trauma.

RESULTS

A total of 28% of undocumented Latinx immigrants reported having chronic pain, and 20% of those had clinically significant psychological distress. Significant differences in the prevalence of chronic pain were reported across age groups, years in the USA, and trauma history. After controlling for relevant covariates, chronic pain was significantly associated with psychological distress (OR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.02, 1.09]), age (OR = 1.05, 95% CI [1.02; 1.09]), and history of trauma (OR = 1.10 per additional traumatic event, 95% CI [1.02; 1.19]; C-statistic = 0.79).

CONCLUSION

Among undocumented Latinx immigrants, chronic pain is significantly associated with psychological distress, older age, and trauma history. Given that undocumented immigrants have restricted access to healthcare and are at high risk for chronic pain, developing alternatives to facilitate access to chronic pain interventions and risk-reduction prevention are needed.

Protective Factors to the Wellbeing of Undocumented Latinx Immigrants in the United States: A Socio-Ecological Approach

Undocumented immigrants often experience multiple chronic stressors that over time can increase health risk. This qualitative study used data from 7 focus groups and 15 key informant interviews to identify relevant protective factors to the heath of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Findings showed that at the individual level, undocumented immigrants rely primarily on motivation to cope with adversity, while also relying on family support and community cohesion at the interpersonal level. At the policy level, safe neighborhoods and non-stigmatizing environments, protection from abuse/exploitation, and activism were identified as protective factors. English proficiency was also identified as important.

Bereavement among widowed Latinos in the United States: A systematic review of methodology and findings

This study systematically reviewed the methodology and findings of 19 peer-reviewed studies on the experience of bereavement among widowed Latinos, including risk and protective factors to the health of this vulnerable population. Of these studies, 10 included quantitative data, 3 were qualitative studies, and 6 were narrative reviews. Results emphasized the relevance of cultural beliefs about death, rituals, religion, and Latino values (i.e., familismo, respeto, simpatía, personalismo) as common themes in the included studies, along with expressions of grief (e.g., Ataque de nervios, somatization) that vary by gender and acculturation. Risk factors associated with diminished well-being in this population included being a male, financial strain, cultural stressors, having an undocumented legal status, experiencing widowhood at a younger age, and having poor physical health. Effective coping strategies identified included having adequate social support primarily from family, religion and religious practices, the use of folk medicine, volunteering, and the use of emotional release strategies. Moreover, the results highlight that researches informing the health needs of widowed Latinos in the US is limited, and studies with enhanced methodological rigor are needed to better understand the complex needs of this vulnerable population.

Miles over mind: Transnational death and its association with psychological distress among undocumented Mexican immigrants

Objective: This study examined the association between transnational death and psychological distress among undocumented Mexican immigrants. The Minority Stress Model and a disenfranchised grief perspective were used as frameworks for this study.Method: Respondent driven sampling (RDS) was used to collect data from clinical interviews with 248 undocumented Mexican immigrants residing near the US-Mexico border.Results: After controlling for relevant covariates, experiencing transnational death was a significant predictor of clinically significant distress in this at-risk population.Conclusions: Our findings underscore the need to contextualize transnational death among undocumented immigrants from a perspective of disenfranchised grief that requires the development of contextually and culturally sensitive interventions aimed at addressing the high prevalence of transnational death and its associated distress in this marginalized population.

Role of liquid membrane phenomenon in biological actions of ACE inhibitors, captopril and lisinopril

The liquid membrane phenomenon in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors namely, captopril and lisinopril has been studied. Hydraulic permeability data have been obtained to demonstrate the existence of the liquid membrane in series with a supporting membrane generated by the ACE inhibitors. Data on the transport of the relevant permeants in presence of the liquid membrane formed by ACE inhibitors indicate that liquid membrane phenomenon is likely to play a significant role in the action of ACE inhibitors.