Immigration‐related stress, depression, and positive parenting among undocumented Central American immigrant mothers

Abstract Objective The purpose of the current study was to examine whether immigration‐related stress is associated with reduced positive parenting and whether this association is mediated by depressive symptoms in undocumented Central American immigrant mothers. Background In the context of “illegality,” parents can face myriad stressors related to their immigration status, which may lead to heightened emotions, including depressed mood. These experiences may affect family life, including the ways in which immigrant mothers parent their children. Method This study examined survey data generated in 2016–2017 by researchers using a community‐based participatory action research approach in partnership with Central American immigrant mothers residing in the Washington, DC, region. The sample for this study included 117 undocumented Central American immigrant mothers of children aged 3 to 11 years. Results Controlling for age of child, mother's education, and relationship status, analyses revealed that immigration‐related stress was associated with heightened levels of depressive symptoms for mothers. However, mothers' symptoms of depression were not associated with positive parenting. Additionally, no association between immigration‐related stress and positive parenting was found. Conclusions Findings suggest that mothers, although affected by immigration‐related stress in terms of their own mood symptoms, may deploy mechanisms such as parental self‐sacrifice to protect their children from anti‐immigrant harms. Implications Findings hold implications for future research, including research approaches, and practice.