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Case Reports
. 2015 Aug;17(4):1225-30.
doi: 10.1007/s10903-014-0063-2.

I Didn't Ask to Come to this Country…I was a Child: The Mental Health Implications of Growing Up Undocumented

Jeanne-Marie R Stacciarini  1 , Rebekah Felicia Smith, Brenda Wiens, Awilda Pérez, Barbara Locke, Melody LaFlam
Affiliations
Case Reports

I Didn't Ask to Come to this Country…I was a Child: The Mental Health Implications of Growing Up Undocumented

Jeanne-Marie R Stacciarini et al. J Immigr Minor Health. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

Growing up as an undocumented immigrant and transitioning to "illegal" adulthood can expose the person to adverse social determinants, which can detrimentally affect mental health by acting as chronic stressors. Although there have been several attempts to reform immigration, none have been entirely successful. Recently, the Dream Act and the path toward citizenship may be important steps for reducing mental health disparities among the undocumented, immigrant population. This case report will describe the experiences of one Latino "dreamer", reveal the effects of an undocumented status on mental health, and posit future directions for mental health promotion in this vulnerable population.

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References

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