Peer-reviewed article
Trauma, immigration, and sexual health among Latina women: Implications for maternal–child well‐being and reproductive justice
Lisa R. Fortuna, Carmen Rosa Noroña, Michelle V. Mich Porche, Cathi Tillman, Pratima A. Patil et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined trauma, sexual health, and well-being among 175 Latina immigrant women in the United States, with a focus on those who are mothers of minor children. Researchers found that 30% experienced sexual assault and 61% experienced physical assault, with these rates similarly high regardless of motherhood status. Women who experienced sexual assault showed significantly higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. The findings suggest that Latina immigrant mothers face substantial risks to their own mental health and reproductive autonomy, which has implications for their children's well-being.
Key points
- 30% of Latina immigrant women in the sample reported sexual assault, and 61% reported physical assault
- Women who experienced sexual assault scored significantly higher on depression, PTSD, and substance-abuse screens
- Women who experienced physical assault had 10.74 times higher odds of experiencing sexual assault
- Women from the Northern Triangle had 8.41 times higher odds of experiencing sexual assault
- 38% of participants had minor children, and 58% had citizenship in their host country
Limitations
This is a descriptive and analytical study of associations, not an intervention evaluation, so it cannot determine causality or the effectiveness of any specific solutions. The cross-sectional design prevents understanding of how trauma affects child outcomes over time.
Abstract
Latina immigrant women are vulnerable to traumatic stress and sexual health disparities. Without autonomy over their reproductive health and related decision-making, reproductive justice is elusive. We analyzed behavioral health data from 175 Latina immigrant participants (M age = 35; range = 18-64) of the International Latino Research Partnership (ILRP) study. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to compare immigrant mothers of minor children to those without, regarding their psychological and reproductive health, and correlates of past exposure to sexual trauma. Over one third (38%) of ILRP participants had minor children, and 58% had citizenship in their host country. The rate for sexual assault was 30 and 61%, respectively, for physical assault; these rates were similarly high for women with and without minor children. Women who reported sexual assault scored significantly higher for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance-abuse screens. Odds of experiencing sexual assault was highest for women who experienced physical assault (odds ratio = 10.74), and for those from the Northern Triangle (odds ratio = 8.41). Subgroups of Latina migrant mothers are vulnerable to traumatic stress and related sexual and mental health risks. Given these findings, we frame the implications in a reproductive justice framework and consider consequences for caregiver-child well-being.