Risks And Benefits Of A

Risks And Benefits Of A

This literature review examines the impact of U.S. immigration policies, particularly the 2018 "zero-tolerance" policy, on migrant children's mental health outcomes. It synthesizes findings from multiple research articles that evaluate behavioral issues, PTSD prevalence, trauma exposure, and healthcare costs associated with family separation policies. The review compares methodologies, findings, and recommendations across these studies, highlighting similarities and differences to provide a comprehensive understanding of this critical public health issue.

In 2018, the Trump administration instituted a zero-tolerance immigration policy that resulted in the separation of thousands of children from their parents at the U.S. border. Over five weeks, approximately 2,300 children were separated, leading to widespread concern among health professionals and human rights organizations (Kullar & Chokshi, 2019). These policies have been associated with significant adverse mental health outcomes among migrant children, including increased PTSD, behavioral problems, and heightened healthcare costs. This review focuses on research articles that explore these effects through various methodologies, providing insights into how policy decisions influence vulnerable populations.

Paper For Above instruction

The mental health repercussions of immigration policies on migrant children are progressively gaining scholarly attention, emphasizing the urgent need to address the psychological toll of family separation and detention. The reviewed articles collectively indicate that restrictive immigration policies, especially those involving family separation at the border, exacerbate trauma exposure, leading to elevated rates of PTSD and other mental health issues among children and adolescents.

Methodological Similarities and Differences

Several studies employ similar quantitative methodologies, notably the use of standardized tools such as the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index (PTSD-RI) to assess trauma-related symptoms. For instance, MacLean et al. (2019) and Sidamon-Eristoff et al. (2021) utilized this instrument to evaluate PTSD symptoms among migrant children detained at the border. Both studies gathered data over approximately two months, with MacLean et al. (2019) collecting responses from 150 children and Sidamon-Eristoff et al. (2021) involving 77 children, indicating small sample sizes but comparable approaches in assessing trauma symptoms quantitatively. Additionally, both studies targeted populations within detention environments, capturing immediate mental health impacts of detention policies.

However, methodological differences exist. MacLean et al. (2019) directly involved children completing the PTSD-RI, whereas Sidamon-Eristoff et al. (2021) primarily collected data through parent-reported questionnaires about their children, incorporating a qualitative component that was not detailed in their publication. Furthermore, MacLean et al. employed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by migrant mothers, adding another dimension to their assessment. Conversely, Mattingly et al. (2020) conducted a nationwide survey using large administrative datasets, providing a broader but less detention-specific perspective. These methodological variations influence the scope and depth of findings across studies.

Similarities in Findings

Despite differences in sample sizes and methodologies, the studies concur that migrant children exhibit substantially higher rates of mental health problems than their American peers. MacLean et al. (2019) and Sidamon-Eristoff et al. (2021) reported PTSD prevalence rates of 17% and 6.49%, respectively, compared to approximately 4.7% among U.S. adolescents. These figures underscore the heightened vulnerability of detained migrant children to trauma-related disorders. Additionally, Sidamon-Eristoff et al. (2021) found that nearly all children (97.4%) experienced at least one traumatic event, starkly contrasting with the 60-62% trauma exposure in the general adolescent population. The convergence of these findings emphasizes the psychological toll of family separation and detention, highlighting the urgent need for policy reforms and targeted mental health interventions.

Differences in Findings and Implications

While the core conclusion points to elevated mental health problems, some differences emerged regarding prevalence rates. For example, MacLean et al. (2019) identified a PTSD rate twice as high as Sidamon-Eristoff et al. (2021), which may be attributable to differences in the assessment tools, sample characteristics, or detention environments. Furthermore, Mattingly et al. (2020) reported an even higher PTSD prevalence of 42.58%, likely influenced by their broader, nationwide dataset that included children outside detention settings and a longer study period. These disparities suggest variability in trauma exposure and mental health outcomes based on contextual factors such as duration of detention, age, and family support systems.

Recommendations Across Studies

All authors uniformly advocate for humane treatment of migrant children and condemn current immigration policies that contribute to trauma. MacLean et al. (2019), along with Mattingly et al. (2020) and Sidamon-Eristoff et al. (2021), emphasize the importance of reforming policies to minimize family separation and facilitate mental health support services for detained children. Specifically, these studies recommend implementing trauma-informed care, providing psychological support, and developing policies that prioritize the well-being of migrant children over restrictive immigration enforcement. Mattingly et al. (2020) specifically highlight the financial costs associated with detention policies, advocating for alternatives that are less damaging and more cost-effective.

Conclusion

The body of research clearly demonstrates that immigration policies involving child separation and detention substantially harm the mental health of migrant children. Methodologically, studies converge in their use of validated trauma assessments, despite differences in data collection contexts and sample sizes. Findings consistently show increased trauma exposure and PTSD prevalence among detained migrant children. Recommendations emphasize the need for policy change toward more compassionate, trauma-informed approaches that prioritize mental health services. As immigration continues to be a contentious issue, these scholarly insights serve as crucial evidence supporting reforms aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and promoting mental health equity.

References

  • Khullar, D., & Chokshi, D. A. (2019). Challenges for immigrant health in the USA—the road to crisis. The Lancet, 394(10208), 1638-1648.
  • MacLean, S. A., Agyeman, P. O., Walther, J., Singer, E. K., Baranowski, K. A., & Katz, C. L. (2019). Mental health of children held at a United States immigration detention center. Social Science & Medicine, 224, 146-154.
  • Mattingly, T. J., II, Kiser, L., Hill, S., Briggs, E. C., Trunzo, C. P., Zafari, Z., & Betancourt, T. S. (2020). Unseen costs: The direct and indirect impact of U.S. immigration policies on child and adolescent health and well-being. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 33(6), 865-875.
  • Sidamon-Eristoff, A. E., Cohodes, E. M., Gee, D. G., & Peña, C. J. (2021). Trauma exposure and mental health outcomes among Central American and Mexican children held in immigration detention at the United States–Mexico border. Developmental Psychobiology, 64(1), e22227.
  • UCLA. (n.d.). PTSD Reaction Index. University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved from https://www.uclapsychsci.org
  • Kullar, D., & Chokshi, D. A. (2019). Challenges for immigrant health in the USA—the road to crisis. The Lancet, 394(10208), 1638-1648.
  • Additional relevant scholarly sources on trauma, childhood mental health, and immigration policy impacts.

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