22430894

PMC4431619

Background

Understanding contemporary socio-cultural stressors may assist educational, clinical and policy-level health promotion efforts. This study presents descriptive findings on a new measure, the Border Community & Immigration Stress Scale (BCISS).

Methods

The data were from two community surveys as part of community based participatory projects conducted in the Southwestern US border region. This scale includes stressful experiences reflected in extant measures, with new items reflecting heightened local migration pressures and health care barriers.

Results

Stressors representing each main domain, including novel ones, were reported with frequency and at high intensity in the predominantly Mexican-descent samples. Total stress was also significantly associated with mental and physical health indicators.

Discussion

The study suggests particularly high health burdens tied to the experience of stressors in the US border region. Further, many of the stressors are also likely relevant for other communities within developed nations also experiencing high levels of migration.

CDC Public Access

P60 MD000155/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States
P60MD000155/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States
R21 OH008747/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States
R21OH008747/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States