Mental Health Outcomes Associated With Immigration-Related Trauma of Children From Latin America: An Integrative Review
Sue H. Coltrain, Lisa C. LindleyIntroduction:
Children immigrating to the United States from Latin America experience cumulative stressors and trauma across the premigration, migration, and postmigration phases, placing them at increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes. This integrative review examined mental health outcomes associated with immigration-related trauma in Latin American immigrant children.
Methods:
Using Whittemore and Knafl’s framework, a systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and APA PsycINFO identified peer-reviewed English-language studies published between 2014 and 2026 involving children aged 0 to 18 years.
Results:
Ten studies met the inclusion criteria (five quantitative, two qualitative, and three mixed methods). Posttraumatic stress disorder occurred across all migration phases, while anxiety and depression were most common postmigration. Behavioral disorders and substance use, or risk-taking behaviors were also reported.
Discussion:
Cumulative migration-related trauma contributes to poor mental health outcomes. Trauma-informed, culturally congruent nursing assessment and interventions are critical to reduce long-term psychological morbidity.