Study on perceived stress within Latin American and Maghrebian immigrant populations

The aim of this study is to analyze the level and predictive factors of perceived stress of iinmigrants, as well as to study the relationship between stress and psychological symptoms. The sample is composed of 405 women and men from Latin America and the Maghreb (age: M = 33,71; SD = 8,82), and 306 natives (age: M = 44,76; SD = 18,21), The questionnaire includes questions about the migration process, perceived stress (PSS-14) and psychological symptoms (PRIME-MD), Results show moderate levels of stress. Immigrants from the Maghreb show greater stress than Latin American immigrants and natives. The acculturation stress hypothesis explains the stress levels of Maghrebian immigrants. The health immigrant paradox was plausible in the case of Latin American immigrants. The relationship between stress, the different symptoms and the predictors of stress was different in each group. The results show the importance of access to socioeconomic resources to ensure social autonomy and the importance to promote positive relationships between immigrants and natives.