背景:迁移使儿童和青年面临脆弱性,包括连根拔起,缺乏保护,获得服务的机会有限,和暴力。先前的研究表明,受害经历会影响流动儿童的心理健康,包括抑郁症,焦虑,和创伤后应激障碍。这项研究旨在研究移民和智利儿童和青年中多种形式的虐待(多受害)的同时发生及其与抑郁症状的关系,解决拉丁美洲的研究差距。
方法:分析了智利内政部进行的国家多受害者调查(NPS)的次要数据。对1362名参与者的样本进行了评估多受害者和抑郁症状的措施,移民和智利出生的个人的群体规模相等。数据分析包括描述性统计,组比较,相关分析,和多元回归分析。
结果:研究表明,移民和智利出生的参与者在传统犯罪受害和多受害方面的经历存在明显差异,移民面临的发病率略高。相关分析表明,不同组的受害类型和抑郁症状之间的关联强度不同,智利出生的个体对某些受害形式表现出更强的相关性。多元回归分析强调性别,多受害者,虐待儿童,互联网受害,性受害,和同伴/兄弟姐妹受害是整个样本中抑郁症状的重要预测因子。值得注意的是,观察到虐待儿童和移民身份之间的相互作用,表明虐待对移民青少年抑郁症状的影响有所减轻。这表明该组具有独特的韧性或应对机制。
结论:这项研究阐明了智利移民儿童和青年的各种受害经历,特别强调移民身份对儿童虐待与抑郁症状关系的缓解作用。它强调了面对逆境的移民未成年人的韧性和潜在的适应策略。调查结果强调,必须制定支持和干预战略,承认移徙儿童和青年的具体需求和优势,倡导在新的环境挑战中保护和赋予这一弱势群体权力的政策。
BACKGROUND: Migration exposes children and youth to vulnerabilities, including uprooting, lack of protection, limited access to services, and violence. Previous studies have shown that victimization experiences impact the mental health of migrant children, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aims to examine the co-occurrence of multiple forms of maltreatment (
polyvictimization) among migrant and Chilean children and youth and its association with depressive symptoms, addressing a research gap in Latin America.
METHODS: Secondary data from the National
Polyvictimization Survey (NPS) conducted by the Chilean Ministry of the Interior were analyzed. Measures assessing
polyvictimization and depressive symptoms were administered to a sample of 1362 participants, with equal group sizes for migrants and Chilean-born individuals. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multiple regression analyses.
RESULTS: The study revealed marked differences in experiences of conventional crime victimization and
polyvictimization between migrant and Chilean-born participants, with migrants facing slightly higher incidences. Correlational analysis indicated variable strengths of association between victimization types and depressive symptoms across groups, with Chilean-born individuals showing stronger correlations for certain victimization forms. Multiple regression analysis highlighted gender,
polyvictimization, child maltreatment, internet victimization, sexual victimization, and peer/sibling victimization as significant predictors of depressive symptoms across the sample. Notably, an interaction was observed between child maltreatment and migrant status, indicating a mitigated impact of maltreatment on depressive symptoms among migrant adolescents. This suggests the potential for unique resilience or coping mechanisms in this group.
CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidates the varied victimization experiences of migrant children and youth in Chile, with a notable emphasis on the mitigating effect of migrant status on the relationship between child maltreatment and depressive symptoms. It highlights the resilience and potential adaptive strategies of migrant minors facing adversity. The findings underscore the necessity of developing support and intervention strategies that recognize the specific needs and strengths of migrant children and youth, advocating for policies that protect and empower this vulnerable demographic amidst new environmental challenges.