ABSTRACT
Purpose
This cross-sectional study was designed to examine the impacts of three risk factors (i.e., Trump-era policy stress, incidents of discrimination, and COVID-19 exposure) and two protective factors (i.e., resilience and social support) on mental health status.
Methods
Data were collected via an online survey with first- and second-generation immigrant adults (n = 447). Hierarchical linear regression was employed to assess the risk and protective factors, in addition to demographic characteristics, on anxiety and depression scores.
Results
Trump-era policy stress and discrimination predicted higher symptoms of both anxiety and depression. In terms of protective factors, resilience and social support each had a significant inverse relationship with anxiety and depression scores.
Conclusion
Findings contribute to the knowledge base of risk and protective factors during a stringent immigration policy context and pandemic in the United States.
Discussion
Implications for practice, research, and policymaking are presented.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).