New Jersey Black & Latinx Immigrant Community Needs & Strengths Assessment

Background: New Jersey (NJ) has almost 2 million immigrants and refugees in the state, encompassing communities characterized by considerable geographic and linguistic diversity. Furthermore, the Latinx community, especially in New Jersey, has undergone significant growth with its share of the state population increasing from 13% in 2000 to 21.9% in 2020 census (Behbahani et al., 2020; USC, 2020). Prior to the onset of the pandemic, numerous studies and media outlets highlighted the difficulties and healthcare disparities faced by immigrant communities, including but not limited to obstacles in healthcare access, challenges related to immigration status, and financial and labor instability (Behbahani et al., 2020). This research study addresses a critical gap in our understanding of the social determinants of health, with a specific focus on the Latinx and Black communities in NJ. By examining the perceived mental, physical, and financial needs, as well as access to resources, this study provides nuanced insights into the factors influencing the well-being of Black and Latinx immigrants in NJ.

Methods: The mixed methods community-based participatory research (CBPR) included story circles (Parks, 2023) and testimonios (Jaime-Diaz & Ramos, 2023) of a total of 25 participants. The researchers collaborated with La Casa de Don Pedro (LCDP), a local nonprofit that provides services for immigrant communities in NJ. The CBPR methodologies are culturally responsive methods that help bridge community knowledge and provide an in-depth understanding to the lived experience of NJ immigrants. In collaboration with LCDP, researchers conducted outreach within their programs, conducted data collection at their location, and co-analyzed the data with LCDP research team members. Testimonios and story circles were transcribed, translated to English, and coded thematically using NVIVO qualitative software, guided by borderlands theory.

Results:

Preliminary findings from the study revealed several key themes, including 1) economic distress 2) barriers to physical and mental health, 3) challenges with discrimination and limited legal rights knowledge and protections, and 4) difficulties and strengths from the process of acculturation 5) resilience. Immigrants in NJ experienced financial challenges with unemployment and fewer protections. Participants expressed how financial stressors impacted their mental health. Additionally, mental health was also impacted by the ongoing legal violence, and the current anti-immigration climate in the United States which has fostered additional racial, linguistic and xenophobic discrimination in their daily lives. In combination with the economic distress and acculturation stress, many participants also reported family conflict and stigma around asking for help. As participants saw differences between their country of origin and the US that sometimes caused distress, they also recognized the additional resources in the US. They often relied on their social capital including friends, family, and nonprofits in their community and embraced their faith and hope as a form of resilience.

Implications:

Findings highlight the need for interventions that help immigrants understand their rights in various settings, destigmatize MH, and enhance psychoeducation. Family-based support can address intergenerational conflict, while policy changes are essential to protect immigrants’ overall well-being. Future research should incorporate CBPR, as community partners can provide unique insight into the research.