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Hoping for a Better Future during COVID-19: How Migration Plans Are Protective of Depressive Symptoms for Haitian Migrants Living in Chile

Author

Listed:
  • Yijing Chen

    (Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Claudia Rafful

    (Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Circuito Ciudad Universitaria Avenida, C.U., Mexico City 04510, Mexico
    Center for Global Mental Health, National Institute of Psychiatry, Calz México-Xochimilco 101, Colonia, Huipulco, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14370, Mexico)

  • Mercedes Mercado

    (Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago 8320000, Chile)

  • Lindsey Carte

    (Núcleo de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad de la Frontera, Francisco Salazar 1450, Temuco 4811230, Chile)

  • Sonia Morales-Miranda

    (Consorcio de Investigación sobre VIH SIDA TB CISIDAT, Dwight W. Morrow 8, Apt. 7, Centro, Cuernavaca 62000, Mexico)

  • Judeline Cheristil

    (Project “When Reality Overcomes the Intention”, Las Condes 7560908, Chile)

  • Teresita Rocha-Jiménez

    (Society and Health Research Center, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Universidad Mayor, Las Condes 4780000, Chile
    Millennium Nucleus on Sociomedicine (SocioMed), Las Condes 7560908, Chile)

Abstract

This paper explores the migration experiences, perceived COVID-19 impacts, and depression symptoms among Haitian migrants living in Santiago, Chile. Ninety-five participants from eight neighborhoods with a high density of Haitian migrants were recruited. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and logistic regression analysis were conducted. Chi-squared tests were used to confirm univariate results. We found that 22% of participants had major depressive symptoms based on the CESD-R-20 scale, 87% reported major life changes due to COVID-19, and 78% said their migration plans had changed due to the pandemic. Factors associated with more depressive symptoms were being in debt (OR = 3.43) and experiencing discrimination (ORs: 0.60 to 6.19). Factors associated with less odds of depressive symptoms were social support (ORs: 0.06 to 0.25), change in migration plans due to COVID-19 (OR = 0.30), and planning to leave Chile (OR = 0.20). After accounting for relevant factors, planning to leave Chile is significantly predictive of fewer symptoms of depression. Haitian migrants living in Chile had a high prevalence of depression. Planning to leave Chile was a significant protector against depressive symptoms. Future studies should explore how nuanced experiences of uncertainty play out in migrants’ lives, mental well-being, and planning for their future.

Suggested Citation

  • Yijing Chen & Claudia Rafful & Mercedes Mercado & Lindsey Carte & Sonia Morales-Miranda & Judeline Cheristil & Teresita Rocha-Jiménez, 2022. "Hoping for a Better Future during COVID-19: How Migration Plans Are Protective of Depressive Symptoms for Haitian Migrants Living in Chile," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:9977-:d:887011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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