Exploring perspectives of well-being in Latina/o migrant workers

Abstract

Migrant workers enter the United States to meet the agricultural labor needs of the US, seeking a better life and an escape from poverty. However, little is known about the factors that influence well-being in this population as they transition to a new society. The purpose of this study was to describe Latina/o migrant workers’ perceptions regarding the individual, communal, and contextual factors that influence their well-being. A community-based qualitative approach was taken to describe perceptions of well-being in the Latina/o migrant worker population. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 12 South Florida Latina/o migrant workers using a semi-structured interview guided by the Developmental Systems Theory and Prilleltensky’s conceptualization of well-being. Conventional content analysis identified five themes: children as a point of connection, a mosaic of informal support, navigating a multi-stressed life context, awareness of lack of agency, and toward the promotion of well-being. This study is one of the first explorations of well-being in Latina/o migrant workers and includes recommendations for providers, researchers, and advocates.

Keywords:

• Latina/o
• migrant agricultural laborers
• multiculturalism
• well-being
• social justice

Acknowledgments

Muchas gracias y un abrazo fuerte to Rocio and Carlos Salgado, Daniela Delgado, Lina Garces, and the EnFamilia staff who helped ensure culturally responsive, community-driven research.