Stress and coping in Latin American immigrants residing in Barcelona Estrés y coping en inmigrantes latinoamericanos residentes en Barcelona

Abstract

The significant increase of the migratory processes requires the development of preventive strategies to prevent the presence of stress related to the problems immigrants have to face. Objective: to establish the kind of problems narrated by Latin American immigrants, the degree of stress they produce, and the coping strategies used to face them. Method: 83 Latin American immigrants greater of 18 years old. The results indicate that employment and economic stability are the main stressors. The degree of stress does not vary according to the type of stressor, time in Barcelona, and legal status. When the stress increases, the immigrants most frequently use the strategy of Emotional Discharge and with smaller frequency those of Problem Solving and Positive Reappraisal.