The study involved 213 Latino parents of adolescent children. Most were from Central America, and two-thirds were living in the United States legally either as citizens or permanent residents, or under temporary protected status. Researchers from the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University in Washington, D.C., examined the effects of 2017 immigration policy changes on these Latino families.

The researchers discovered a significant number of the parents and children are at very high risk for anxiety, depression, and other forms of distress. Many parents are taking steps to avoid authorities by changing their routines and are encouraging their children to do the same. Nearly 40 percent of parents avoid getting medical care, help from the police, or support from social services because of their fears.

Sourced from: Journal of Adolescent Health

Source: Published on Healthcentral.com, Immigration Laws Trigger Stress in Latino Families, by Diane Domina, March 1st , 2018.