Date

12-16-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Ralph Ogburn

Keywords

Immigration, Mental Health, Immigrant, Undocumented, Political Climate, Deportation

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

This research study explores the daily challenges, coping strategies, and mental health outcomes of undocumented adult Latino immigrants currently residing in the United States of America. The purpose of the research was to address the critical gap in scientific literature regarding the mental health of Latino immigrants residing in the United States. The healthy immigrant effect theory guided the study, which posits that immigrants' health declines the longer they live in a foreign country. Data collection occurred through a qualitative case study design using the first-hand accounts from 18 Latino immigrants residing in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Each participant expressed their immigration experiences in their own narratives through semi-structured and open-ended interviews. The data from the participants identified six themes through their experiences as undocumented Latinos: racism, depression, anxiety, religion, support, and experiences with professional mental health services. The participants first-hand testimonies offer a glimpse into the realities of their daily lives. Findings of this study reveal that the mental health of Latino immigrants is deteriorating due to the harsh political climate in the United States. The findings of this study have the potential to strengthen the understanding of the Latino immigrant population among mental health providers. This study aimed to contribute to the development of more culturally sensitive interventions that help the rapidly growing immigrant population by exploring the complex relationship between immigrant experiences and mental health outcomes.

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