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.
This work focuses on the identity constructions of Haitian immigrants in Chile. A qualitative study was conducted based on in-depth semi-structured interviews, which included analyzing thematic and intersectional contents in order to understand the identity constructions of the participants in their migration trajectories from Haiti to Chile. Results associated with the work and social experiences of the participants are presented, along with the ethnic-racial and sex-gender orders, bringing together differentiating axes such as religion, nationality, social class, and immigrant status. We found that the articulation of dimensions of oppression in Chile configures a Haitian-migrant-worker identity positioned as a radical otherness; incipient changes in sex-gender identities are also reported, emerging from subaltern social positions and as adaptation strategies in an adverse context.
El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer las experiencias de racismo del colectivo migrante haitiano en Chile desde una perspectiva interseccional. Atendemos a sus experiencias opresivas y también a sus resistencias frente a estas experiencias. Realizamos un estudio cualitativo con 16 personas haitianas (10 hombres y 6 mujeres) de entre 21 y 44 años, residentes en Santiago de Chile, con las cuales efectuamos 29 entrevistas semiestructuradas en profundidad. Como método de análisis de información, realizamos un análisis de contenido temático desde un enfoque interseccional. Identificamos racismo estructural, prejuicios manifiestos y racismo internalizado en la experiencia de los y las participantes. El color de piel se presenta como el marcador racial más importante y se encuentra articulado con la nacionalidad, la condición de migrante y/o el sexo-género. También, damos cuenta del fenómeno de racialización sexualizada hacia los hombres haitianos. Las diversas resistencias de los y las participantes hacia el racismo, muestran un reconocimiento positivo de las posiciones sociohistóricas de las personas haitianas. De este modo, pesquisamos identidades sociales resistentes e incipientes configuradas en torno al color de piel y la nacionalidad haitiana. Para líneas de investigación futura, creemos relevante extender el estudio del racismo en Chile desde el campo de la migración internacional, para atender a las estructuras racializadas desde las cuales se ejerce racismo hacia personas de pueblos originarios, afrochilenos y/o mestizos chilenos de piel oscura. Con este trabajo buscamos contribuir a visibilizar la presencia y consecuencias del racismo en Chile, y a promover la integración integral de la comunidad haitiana.
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