Parental health-related quality of life, depression and stress among low-income immigrants
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 21 May 2018
Issue publication date: 15 June 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about low-income immigrant parents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with their parenting. The purpose of this paper is to examine low-income immigrant parents’ HRQoL, depression and stress.
Design/methodology/approach
In the spring of 2015, English speaking and Spanish speaking low-income uninsured immigrant parents utilizing a free clinic (N=182) completed a self-administered survey using standardized measures of parental HRQoL, stress and depression.
Findings
Immigrant parents’ HRQoL related to parenting was lower than general primary care patients. Higher levels of depression and stress were associated with lower levels of parental HRQoL and family functioning. Spanish speakers were significantly more likely to worry about their child’s health or future compared to English speakers.
Originality/value
While both English and Spanish speaking immigrant parents may need assistance addressing the health-related needs of their child, Spanish speakers may be a target audience for outreach programs. It is possible that by improving the health of their child, immigrant parents may see improvement in their own HRQoL and reductions in their levels of stress and depression. Future research should develop parenting classes for low-income immigrant parents targeting the potential health needs of their children, and assess the efficacy of the classes in improving child health and parental HRQoL.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This project was funded by the Public Service Professorship, Lowell Bennion Community Service Center at the University of Utah. The authors want to thank the patients who participated in this study and acknowledge the contribution of the staff and volunteers of the Maliheh Free Clinic. In addition, the authors thank Emily Carpenter, Alla Chernenko, Eno Etokidem, Lea Hunter, Misael Lanza, Anthony Mills, Tamara Stephens, Truc Tran and Ha Trinh for their help in data collection, data entry and translation related to this study.
Citation
Kamimura, A., Ashby, J., Nourian, M., Assasnik, N., Chen, J., Tabler, J., Aguilera, G., Blanton, N., Jess, A. and Reel, J. (2018), "Parental health-related quality of life, depression and stress among low-income immigrants", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 199-207. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-11-2016-0041
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited