Factors promoting resilience among Mexican immigrant women in the United States: Applying a positive deviance approach

Abstract

This research project used a positive deviance approach to identify Mexican immigrant women (MIW) who have experienced great stress and who have positive mental health indicators in order to determine the factors behind their resilience and coping skills. Signposts, strengths and resources contributing to positive mental health are identified and described. The resilience of participants in this study emerged as a very dynamic phenomenon. A series of internal assets helped these women find meaning, purpose and build resilience. Social networks, families, positive attitudes, and purposeful behaviors determine the strengths and well-being of this group. This may be the first exploration of the mental health assets of MIW. Although the purposive sample in the study limits the generalization of its results, the specificity of its population is a clear point of comparison and reference. The study has implications for the design of health promotion interventions with individuals of Mexican shared ancestry.

Representaciones sociales sobre la migración en inmigrantes venezolanos residentes en Lima Metropolitana, Perú

“…La resiliencia de los migrantes se ve influenciada por las redes sociales, los grupos de parentesco, la comunidad y los recursos culturales originales (Ungar, 2013), así como por el sentido de identidad hacia sus raíces originarias, el colectivismo, la espiritualidad y la satisfacción con la vida (Sajquim y Lusk, 2018). Por otro lado, resulta importante el emprendimiento migrante y las redes de apoyo como forma de enriquecimiento personal debido a su interacción con otros patrones culturales (Saccani, 2013;Koechlin et al, 2018;Martínez y Martínez García, 2018).…”

Negative perceived context of reception and sociocultural resources on mental health among Hispanic and Somali adolescents

“…Social support can increase mental and physical health by enhancing a sense of belonging, positive mood, and stress coping (Thoits, 2011; Uchino et al, 1999). Support that conveys caring (i.e., emotional support), where advice is provided (i.e., informational support), or consists of practical assistance (i.e., instrumental support) can help immigrants and refugees cope with language barriers, difficulty securing employment, navigating systems, disrupted family dynamics, inadequate childcare, discrimination, acculturative stress, and other resettlement challenges (Guan & Fuligni, 2015; Lee et al, 2020; Lusk et al, 2021; Sajquim de Torres & Lusk, 2018; Sanchez et al, 2019; Sirin et al, 2013; Stewart et al, 2008). Social resources can change across developmental periods and adolescents increasingly look outside of the family for belonging, validation, instrumental assistance, and advice in navigating milestones (Furman & Buhrmester, 1985; Guan & Fuligni, 2015; Whittaker et al, 2005).…”

Habits as Building Blocks for the Resilience of Vulnerable Populations: Two Positive Deviance Case Studies From the U.S.–Mexico Border Region

“…Following more than 20 years of evolution, the study of resilience shifted to include the consideration of the social and cultural factors and systems that contribute to generating an interactive dynamic process by which an individual confronts and overcome challenges (Herrman et al, 2011; Rutter, 1985). More recent research proposes that resilience is rooted in the individual’s social environment in which social networks, kinship groups, community and cultural resources play a role (Sajquim de Torres & Lusk, 2018). Although the study of resilience has expanded to include social, cultural, and psychological and developmental factors that help individuals overcome hardships, scant research exists that identifies concrete, everyday behaviors or routines that individuals enact to develop resilience.…”