Pre-and post-migration factors associated with sleep health among Latin American immigrants in the United States: A systematic review

Isamar M Almeida; Linda Thompson; Alvaro Rivera; Emily Feldman; Ateka A Contractor; Martinque Jones; Danica C Slavish

doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2024.102047

Pre-and post-migration factors associated with sleep health among Latin American immigrants in the United States: A systematic review

Sleep Med Rev. 2024 Dec 13:80:102047. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2024.102047. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Isamar M Almeida¹, Linda Thompson², Alvaro Rivera², Emily Feldman², Ateka A Contractor², Martinque Jones², Danica C Slavish²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA. Electronic address: isamaralmeida@my.unt.edu.
² Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.

PMID: 39709694
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2024.102047

Abstract

Immigrants face unique challenges and stressors before leaving their country of origin and upon arrival to their host country, all of which may impair their sleep health. We synthesized the literature on pre-and-post migration factors predicting sleep outcomes among foreign-born Latin American immigrants to the United States. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched three electronic databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. We supplemented our search using Google Scholar and by manually reviewing reference lists from all included studies and four reviews on similar topics. Out of 2581 references screened, 12 peer-reviewed studies met our inclusion criteria. All studies but one were quantitative. Most were cross-sectional, consisted of adults, relied on self-reported measures of sleep, and had a low risk of bias. Acculturation stress, perceived discrimination and racism, working multiple jobs, as well as poor physical and mental health were the most consistent predictors of poorer sleep health in this population. Being born in Mexico and greater biculturalism were predictors of better sleep health. We discuss gaps in the literature, highlight opportunities for future research, and argue for a more comprehensive examination of how pre-migration experiences impact post-migration sleep health.

Keywords: Hispanic/Latino immigrants; Immigration; Insomnia; Latin American immigrants; Sleep health.

Publication types

Review