Family Decisions, Stressors, and Health Challenges among Latino Emancipated Migrant Farmworker Youth

Latinos account for 80% of all farmworkers in the United States (U.S.) (Hernandez, Gabbard, & Carroll, 2016). Based on the latest National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), there are young farmworkers ages 14 to 21 years old who account for 10% of the farmworker population. Youth who come to work in the U.S. by themselves – without their parents – are also known as emancipated migrant youth (EMY; Peoples et al., 2010). These EMY are part of a larger vulnerable community of migrant and seasonal immigrant farmworkers (Arcury & Quandt, 2009). EMY are in their great majority males (89%), lack of work authorization (70%) (NAWS, 2016) and are at great risk for negative health outcomes from agricultural work (Cooper et al., 2005). To better understand the individual and the family expectations contributing to Latino youth entrance into the agricultural workforce, and the physical and psychological consequences of that decision, the following two papers addressed the gap in the literature of emancipated migrant youth in the U.S. Paper 1 consisted of two studies; Study 1explores the contributing factors (e.g., cultural values, familial values, and needs) that were included to the decision for youth to come to the United States to perform farm work. Study 2 identifies emancipated migrant youths’ personal choice –that is the level of contribution to the decision to come to the U.S. and work as a farmworker, familism, EMY’s role as provider through financial remittances, and family dependency. Paper 1 followed an exploratory design (Plano Clark et al., 2008; QUAL→quan) whereby the first component of the study (i.e., Study 1) consisted of n = 20 in-depth interviews with emancipated migrant youth that can help understand the decision making process for these youth’s migration to the United States and entrance into the agricultural labor force. These interviews later informed the creation of the culturally appropriate quantitative questionnaire (i.e., Study 2) based on Study 1 findings. Specifically, Study 2 (n = 36) identified the associations between whether EMY contributed to the decision to migrate to the U.S. and live as a farmworkers, familism, frequency of financial remittances, and family financial dependency. Similarly, Paper 2 consisted of two studies; Study 1 explored the work-related experiences of doing farmwork and living in the U.S. by emancipated migrant youth. Study 2 identified the day-to day challenges and stressors of the farmworker lifestyle that impact emancipated migrant youth’s overall health and well-being. Paper 2 also followed an exploratory design (Plano Clark et al., 2008; QUAL→quan) whereby the first component (i.e., Study 1) consisted of in-depth interviews with emancipated migrant youth. Such interviews helped understand the work-related experiences work in the United States, and living in the U.S. without their families among emancipated migrant youth. These interviews further guided the construction of the second, quantitative component (i.e., Study 2) to identify the effects of daily challenges and stressors on emancipated migrant youth psychological and physical health. Results from Paper 1 provided an insight and better understanding of the health “realities of the field” emancipated migrant youth experience as well as the underlying forces (i.e., personal, family values, financial need) that may have impacted EMY’s decision to leave their home countries and work in agriculture abroad. Specifically, thematic analysis highlighted four major themes for Study 1. Group differences emerged by EMY’s country of origin (i.e., Guatemala, Mexico) as well as age (i.e., 15 to 17 years old and 18 to 20 years old). A total of four major themes were identified: (1) “It was the best thing I could do,” (2) “It was my decision,” (3) “Farmwork just made sense,” (4) “This is just temporary.” In addition, Study 2 results showed no associations between the decision to migrate to the U.S. and work in farmwork with EMY’s familism, frequency of financial remittances and family financial decency. Results from Paper 2 provided an insight and better understanding of the work-related experiences of working in farmwork and living in the U.S. Specifically, thematic analysis highlighted five major themes for Study 1. (1) “You have to keep pushing forward,” (2) “It feels ugly but it’s all worth it,” (3) “The sun is unbearable, but we have to keep working,” (4) “I just take some medicine and it goes away,” (5) “I have to do everything on my own.” In addition, Study 2 results showed significant associations between the EMY’s MFWSI, loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. There were no significant mean differences based on EMY’s age group (i.e., 15 to 17 years old, 18 to 20 years old).