Content area
Full text
Thousands of immigrants come to the United States (U.S.) on employment visas but accompanying dependents cannot work. This study assessed, (a) effect of Employment Restricting Visas (ERVs) on the quality of life and the mental health of dependent-visa holders, (b) moderating effect of resilience, coping, and Time Since Immigration (TSI), and (c) unique variance accounted for by resilience and coping in relationships between visa group and TSI with outcome variables. 57 individuals on ERVs and 46 on non-ERVs participated in this study. The mean age was 29.5 years. Analyses were conducted using t-tests, correlational and regression analyses. The results of the ERV group demonstrated a lower life satisfaction and higher scores on disability, depression and anxiety. Significant correlations and variance were demonstrated between resilience and maladaptive coping and the outcome variables. Moderation results were not significant. The study discusses how the restriction from employment mimics the psychological impact of unemployment. However, resilience and maladaptive coping play important roles. Policy initiatives from government and community outreach programs are needed and highlighted.
Keywords: immigrants, unemployment, visas, depression, resilience, life-satisfaction
In 2013, a total of 1,853,915 applications were approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services under the "temporary workers and their families" category, of which spouses and children accounted for almost 240,038 applications (Foreman, & Monger, 2013). They are mostly given visas as 'dependents' and they are restricted from gaining employment. Given that not much research has examined the effects of restriction from employment, we can at best extrapolate from the extensive literature in vocational psychology on the effects ofunemployment.
Unemployment and mental health
Unemployment has been found to have a negative effect on psychological well-being, with depression being one of the main outcomes (Dooley, Catalano, & Wilson, 1994). In a review ofsixteen longitudinal studies, fourteen linked unemployment with subsequent depression (Murphy & Athanasou, 1999). Another study found 34% of unemployed individuals reported psychological problems, compared to only 16% of employed individuals (Paul & Moser, 2009). Unemployment was found to be associated not only with poorer psychological well-being, but also with poorer physical well-being (McKee-Ryan, Song, Wanberg, & Kinicki, 2005). Besides the financial strain of unemployment, decrease in social standing, self-esteem, physical and mental activity, and the opportunity to put one's skills to use contribute...