Browsing by Author "Galicia, Betsy E."
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Item Modern Day Slavery: Identifying Risk and Protective Factors for PTSD Symptoms in Individuals at Risk for Human Trafficking(2023-08-01T07:00:00.000Z) Galicia, Betsy E.; Varela, Jorge G; Salami, Temilola; Russell, Tiffany D; Lyons, PhillipThe United States (U.S.) is one of the top 10 destinations for human trafficking, with tens of thousands of individuals being trafficked into the nation (Hepburn & Simon, 2010). Human trafficking is a highly profitable, organized crime industry in which perpetrators inflict significant mental and emotional abuse, as well as physical and sexual violence on their victims (Busch-Armendariz et al., 2014; Hepburn & Simon, 2010). As a result, trafficking victims may experience adverse mental health outcomes including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS; Hopper & Gonzalez, 2018, Hossain et al., 2010; Ottisova et al., 2016). Against this backdrop, and using the risk-protective model as a guide (Cardoso & Thompson, 2010; Fergus & Zimmerman, 2005), the present study examined risk and protective factors for PTSS in a sample of individuals at risk of human trafficking victims. Factors such as discrimination, poor social support, and familism may influence the risk of PTSS in trafficked populations. Therefore, discrimination was examined as a potential risk factor, while familism (i.e., a cultural value emphasizing the family over the self) and social support were examined as potential protective factors and moderators in the relationship between discrimination and PTSS in a moderated-moderation analysis. Participants were recruited online from shelters, hospitals, and anti-human trafficking organizations, and were eligible for the study if they were adults, lived in the U.S., and were either 1) Made or forced to work against their will, or 2) Made or forced to perform sex acts against their will. All participants (n = 73; 83.6% female) were adults (18 to 61 years old; M = 35.32; SD = 10.18) and indicated either a history of trafficking or being at risk of being trafficked. Overall, results indicated that discrimination was associated with PTSS; however, neither familism nor perceived social support emerged as moderators in the relationship between discrimination and PTSS. Findings, limitations, and strengths of the study, as well as policy and clinical implications, are discussed. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to examine the relationship between discrimination, familism, perceived social support, and PTSS in a U.S. adult sample of individuals at risk of being trafficked.Item The protective role of cultural values on PTSD symptoms in Latinx immigrant youth(2019-04-18) Galicia, Betsy E.; Venta, AmandaThe number of Latinx immigrant children in the United States (U.S.) continues to rise (U.S. Customs Border Patrol [CBP], 2015; U.S. CBP, 2016). Latinx immigrant youth are exposed to significant trauma in their home countries and on their journey to the U.S., and as such, are at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not every youth exposed to traumatic events is at equal risk for developing PTSD, thus indicating there may be other factors affecting or tempering the subsequent development of PTSD. Within the Latinx culture, there are cultural values that may serve as buffers against mental health problems, such as familismo, respeto, and simpatía. To date, there is little empirical data regarding the association between cultural values and the development of PTSD after traumatic exposure in Latinx immigrant children. Thus, the current study analyzed data from a sample of Latinx immigrant youth (N= 81) interviewed at a respite center at the U.S.-Mexico border. Binary logistic regressions revealed that higher levels of trauma exposure were linked to a higher likelihood of reporting elevated PTSD symptoms. Additionally, higher levels of familismo were associated with a lower likelihood of reporting elevated PTSD symptoms, thus suggesting familismo is a protective factor. Finally, endorsing clinically significant PTSD symptoms was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting elevated PTSD functional impairment. No significant findings emerged regarding respeto and simpatía. Future research should further explore whether familismo, respeto, and simpatía, and other cultural values serve as protective factors on PTSD in Latinx immigrant youth.