Puerto Rican-Born Women in the United States: Contextual Approach to Immigration Challenges.

This study focused on how acculturative stress and psychological distress affect Puerto Rican-born women residing in the United States. Mediation path analysis was used to estimate relationships between contextual factors, acculturative stress, and psychological distress. The fit of the data to the final model was adequate as estimated using chi-square analysis, comparative fit index, Tucker-Lewis Index, and root-mean-square error of approximation. Racial discrimination (b = 0.38, p = .01), difficulties visiting family abroad (b = 0.26, p = .03), and age at immigration (b = 0.19, p = .03) were positively associated with acculturative stress. The factor English skills (b = -0.31, p = .02) was negatively associated with acculturative stress. Racial discrimination had the strongest effect on acculturative stress, followed by English skills, difficulties visiting family abroad, and age at immigration. Racial discrimination (b = 0.39, p = .01) and financial constraints (b = 0.30, p = .01) were positively associated with psychological distress. Racial discrimination affected the women's psychological distress the most, followed by economic contexts (financial constraints). This study informs practitioners in considering the significant contextual factors relevant to the psychological distress of Puerto Rican-born women.

Contextual Approach to Acculturative Stress Among Latina Immigrants in the U.S.

Based on Family Stress Management theory, we explored the contextual influence on acculturative stress and psychological distress. We included 639 Latinas from the National Latino Asian American Survey. We hypothesized that (a) impact of acculturative stress on psychological distress depends on specific contexts; (b) U.S. climate (i.e., perceived discrimination, happiness with U.S. move, years in the U.S.) impacts acculturative stress and psychological distress the most, and (c) contextual factors interact in impacting acculturative stress. Acculturative stress did not always lead to psychological distress. Perceived discrimination and difficulty visiting family abroad were positively associated with acculturative stress. Years in the U.S. and happiness with the U.S. move were negatively associated with acculturative stress. Years in the U.S. and perceived discrimination interacted in predicting acculturative stress. These results can aid formulation of effective interventions that target contexts likely to impact acculturative stress and psychological distress among Latinas.

Trafficking of children in Albania: patterns of recruitment and reintegration.

PROBLEM: Many children in Albania and other countries of Eastern Europe are being trafficked as part of the global business of human trafficking. OBJECTIVES: The study sought to identify the patterns of child trafficking involving Albanian children, and especially children's views of the role of family issues and the nature of the trafficking experience. METHOD: The study included verbally administered questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and use of already existing reports. Study participants included 61 children who had escaped from trafficking, 22 children from similar at-risk groups who had not been trafficked, 15 parents of currently or previously trafficked children, 10 parents from similar groups whose children had not been trafficked, and 8 key informants. RESULTS: Children at greatest risk of trafficking had very limited education and frequently were working on the streets. Their families were poor with many interpersonal problems, including violence. They typically belonged to the Gypsy community. Trusted community members usually recruited the children by promising that the children would work to help the family financially. Once abroad, the children were harshly treated, forced to work long hours, physically abused, and isolated from family members. Families did not receive the promised payment. Once returned, children had a difficult time reentering due to family, educational, and economic issues. CONCLUSIONS: Contextual issues supporting child trafficking in Albania include poverty, major internal and external migrations, discrimination, and problems in the legal system. Poverty combined with family problems and membership in the marginalized Gypsy group places children at increased risk of trafficking into harsh labor conditions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study of Albanian children who were trafficked suggests that dealing with trafficking of children requires addressing family problems and complex social issues that perpetuate poverty as well as the legal and social structures that place children at risk and continue to marginalize certain communities. As a result, changes in social policies that protect victims and punish traffickers and the development of programs that facilitate integration and promote the economic and interpersonal welfare of families whose children are at-risk have been established in Albania.

Risk behavior, perceptions of HIV risk, and risk-reduction behavior among a small group of rural African American women who use drugs.

HIV/AIDS is a health crisis for African Americans. African American women are exposed to HIV primarily through sexual behavior, which is an increased risk for women who use drugs. The study design was a mixed method consisting of an ethnography with ongoing participant observation and in-depth interviews and a questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire component was to explore drug use, sexual behavior, health history, and perceptions. The questionnaire was administered at months 6 and 18. Data for this report were derived from the first questionnaire with 30 respondents. The majority of respondents (82.7%) used polysubstances consisting of cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. Between 33% and 50% exchanged sex for drugs or money, with less than half ever using condoms. About 37% perceived that they had no risk of acquiring HIV, whereas 52% perceived a 25% chance. The pattern of HIV testing in which 33% of the women were tested 10 times or more was unexpected because of the low perception of risk. The principal conclusion was that there is great need to intervene with prevention efforts targeting rural women who use drugs in an attempt to curb increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

Psychosocial issues within primary health care settings: challenges and opportunities for social work practice.

Given the important role of primary health care and the impact of psychosocial issues on health care, the records of individuals referred to social workers in two urban health care clinics serving low-income individuals were analyzed. Major psychosocial issues included family problems, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and violence. Women were more likely to have suffered violence while many of the men had problems dealing with their own aggression toward others. Women with depressive symptoms were more likely than other women to report substance abuse, financial problems, sexual abuse, anxiety, and physical problems. Implications for training and practice are discussed.