Sociology
Psychosocial stressors and coping strategies in racially and ethnically diverse undocumented college students
Document Type
Book Chapter
Abstract
This study used semi-structured interviews to examine daily stressors and coping resources as experienced by twenty-one racially and/or ethnically diverse, undocumented college students residing in Massachusetts (USA). A legal violence framework and stress process theory were used to analyze the stress and coping experiences of undocumented college students. The findings reveal the presence of financial burdens, fears of deportation, blocked opportunities, and legal status concealment as daily stressors, as well as needed peer and informational supports as coping resources for undocumented students. Furthermore, for undocumented students, fear of deportation and stigma hindered their ability to identify and capitalize on needed peer and institutional support. The authors argue that not recognizing the structural and symbolic ways that immigration laws serve as legitimizing sources for afflicting social, psychological, and material harm places students with precarious legal status at risk for poor mental health. This chapter concludes by offering practice implications to help improve the ability of institutional agents within higher education to meet the needs of undocumented college students. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024. All rights reserved.
Publication Title
Supporting College Students of Immigrant Origin: New Insights from Research, Policy, and Practice
Publication Date
5-2024
First Page
133
Last Page
154
ISBN
9781009408257
DOI
10.1017/9781009408240
Keywords
college students, legal status, mental health, stress and coping, undocumented
Repository Citation
Torres Stone, Rosalie, "Psychosocial stressors and coping strategies in racially and ethnically diverse undocumented college students" (2024). Sociology. 90.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_sociology/90
