Stressors, Legal Vulnerability and Bangladeshi Parent and Child Well-Being in New York City

A growing body of research is documenting the impact of parental legal status on familial and child well-being in the U.S. This study adds to the literature by examining the relation of legal vulnerability with the health and mental health of Bangladeshi immigrant parents and their children. A cross-sectional study with 73 immigrant Bangladeshi families was conducted in New York City. Parents reported on legal status indicators, perceived stressors, health, and child mental health indicators. Parents with greater legal vulnerability reported significantly greater immigration-related stressors and poorer perceived health outcomes for themselves and their children in comparison with parents having less legal vulnerability. Immigration stressors explained a significant amount of variance in parent symptoms of depression, tension, and sleep problems and child mental health indicators, beyond the variance explained by acculturation stress and financial stress. Practitioners should be aware that legal vulnerability and associated immigration stressors are adversely associated with Bangladeshi health and mental health.