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Remittances and risk of major depressive episode and sadness among new legal immigrants to the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Eliva Ambugo

    (Universitetet i Oslo)

  • Jenjira Yahirun

    (University of Hawai'i at Mānoa)

Abstract

Background: The impact of remittances on health problems like depression among immigrants is understudied. Yet immigrants may be particularly emotionally vulnerable to the strains and benefits of providing remittances. Objective: This study examines the association between sending remittances and major depressive episode (MDE) and sadness among legal immigrants in the United States. Methods: Cross-sectional data (N=8,236 adults) come from the New Immigrant Survey (2003-2004), a representative sample of new U.S. permanent residents. Results: In logistic regression models, immigrants who remitted had a higher risk of MDE and sadness compared to those who did not, net of sociodemographic and health factors. For remitters (N=1,470), the amount of money was not significantly linked to MDE but was associated with a higher risk of sadness among refugees/asylees compared to employment migrants. Conclusions: Among socioeconomically vulnerable migrants such as refugees/asylees, sending remittances may threaten mental health by creating financial hardship. Initiatives that encourage economic stability for migrants may protect against depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Eliva Ambugo & Jenjira Yahirun, 2016. "Remittances and risk of major depressive episode and sadness among new legal immigrants to the United States," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(8), pages 243-258.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:34:y:2016:i:8
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2016.34.8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Isabella Buber-Ennser & Judith Kohlenberger & Bernhard Rengs & Zakarya Al Zalak & Anne Goujon & Erich Striessnig & Michaela Potančoková & Richard Gisser & Maria Rita Testa & Wolfgang Lutz, 2016. "Human Capital, Values, and Attitudes of Persons Seeking Refuge in Austria in 2015," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(9), pages 1-29, September.
    2. Afulani, Patience A. & Torres, Jacqueline M. & Sudhinaraset, May & Asunka, Joseph, 2016. "Transnational ties and the health of sub-Saharan African migrants: The moderating role of gender and family separation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 63-71.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    remittances; depression; gender; refugees; United States of America; immigration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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