Probing Relations of Attachment with PTSD in Latinx Asylum-Seeking Youth Released from Federal Custody.

OBJECTIVE

There has been tremendous growth in Latinx families seeking asylum at the U.S./Mexico border and a health disparity associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a growing concern. The aim of this study was to examine how attachment to mothers, fathers, and peers relates to PTSD symptoms among Latinx asylum seeking children to provide first data on putative protective interpersonal factors in this high-risk group.

METHOD: We interviewed N = 57 (Mage = 9, female = 46%) young Latinx children and their caregivers who had been released from Customs and Border Patrol custody within the last 24 hours. Attachment was measured utilizing the Inventory for Peer and Parent Attachment and PTSD symptoms were assessed using the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index total score via both parent and child report. Questionnaires were completed in Spanish, via one-on-one interview.

RESULTS

Linear regression models in which attachment variables (i.e. trust, communication, and alienation) served as independent variables and PTSD symptoms served as the dependent variable, controlling for child sex and age, indicated that maternal communication was significantly, negatively related to PTSD symptoms (t = -2.08, p = .037) and peer alienation was significantly, positively related to PTSD symptoms (t = 3.189, p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate the unique and important roles that interpersonal relationships play in PTSD symptomatology in asylum seeking Latinx children and inform targets for intervention development. While findings are preliminary, they are timely given changes in immigration policy and research funding rendering asylum-seeking families more vulnerable.