Stressors Among Latino Day Laborers

Abstract

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of conducting a research project focused on stressors and allostatic load (AL) among day laborers. A total of 30 Latino men were recruited from CASA Latina. a worker center in Seattle. Participants completed an interview and researchers measured six indicators of AL (body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and cortisol). Percentages and mean scores were calculated for several self-reported stressors in work, economic, and social contexts and were compared between low and high AL groups. Overall, participants with high AL reported experiencing more stressors than those with low AL. Additionally, those with high AL generally reported being less healthy both physically and mentally. Findings suggest that Latino day laborers experience stressors that place them at risk for high AL. Also, a study of this nature is possible, but must be conducted with trust and collaboration between researchers and community partners.Occupational health risks for immigrant day laborers have received increasing attention in recent years (Buchanan, 2004;Cummings & Kreiss, 2008;Pransky et al., 2002;Seixas, Blecker, Camp, & Neitzel, 2008). Day labor is defined as temporary, informal work arrangements with employers lasting for short periods, typically one day at a time. Working on this contingent basis, day laborers are precariously employed and face job insecurity, low income, limited benefits and protections, and increased social and economic vulnerability (Benach & Muntaner, 2007;Tompa, Scott-Marshall, Dolinschi, Trevithick, & Bhattacharyya, 2007). Further, day labor is commonly associated with work involving high-risk job activities (e.g., construction, painting, landscaping, fishing, household moving, home renovation, warehousing, janitorial and cleaning work, and manufacturing) that can have serious workrelated injury and illness consequences (Pransky et al., 2002;Valenzuela, 1999). These jobs involve a variety of hazards (e.g., dangerous mechanized tools and equipment, high noise levels, falls from height, and exposure to chemicals and dust) and often lack appropriate controls, including the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE). Further, job opportunities (albeit temporary) for day laborers may fluctuate based on demand and season, resulting in extended periods of unemployment.Copyright © American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.Address correspondence to A. B. de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN, University of Washington School of Nursing, Box 357263, Seattle, WA 98195-7263. butchdec@u.washington.edu.. The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. NIH Public AccessAuthor Manuscript AAOHN J. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 October 26. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptLatino immigrants are a significant portion of the day labor work force and are increasingly hired for the most hazardous j...

Determinants of Problem Drinking and Depression among Latino Day Laborers

“…The stress that Latino day laborers encounter as a direct result of their occupation and associated living circumstances seems to have a detrimental effect on their health. These results are consistent with de Castro et al (2010) who found a negative effect of stress as a result of being a day laborer on the allostatic load of a sample of Latino day laborers. In addition, social support was not significantly related to day laborer stress or health.…”

“…A pilot study conducted by de Castro and colleagues (2010) of a sample of Latino day laborers in Seattle found that the number of years of working as a day laborer was associated with a higher allostatic load, which is a physiological measure of "wear and tear". This study highlighted the impact of the stressors associated with being a Latino day laborer to their physiology that goes beyond any physical injuries encountered as a result of unsafe working practices.…”

Measuring allostatic load in the workforce: a systematic review

“…The number of participants in each study ranged from 30 to 3,887 (mean=572, median=307). Five studies recruited female participants only 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ) and three studies were restricted to male participants 66 , 67 , 68 ) . Seven studies explored employees in specific work settings 62 , 63 , 64 , 66 , 67 , 69 , 70 ) .…”

Sexual health of Latino migrant day labourers under conditions of structural vulnerability

“…A pilot study among day labourers in the state of Washington documented a range of work-associated, economic and social stressors along with biologic measures associated with allostatic load in order to capture the so-called “wear and tear” effect linking chronic stress to negative consequences for physical health (de Castro et al 2010). While conclusions that would link more years in the U.S. with worsening biological markers of stress were limited because of a small sample size, the study’s findings suggest that LMDLs are potentially at risk for high allostatic load because of the multiple psychosocial stressors prominent in their lives (de Castro et al 2010).…”

“…While conclusions that would link more years in the U.S. with worsening biological markers of stress were limited because of a small sample size, the study’s findings suggest that LMDLs are potentially at risk for high allostatic load because of the multiple psychosocial stressors prominent in their lives (de Castro et al 2010). …”