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A Demographic Profile of Recent Central American Immigrants: Clinical and Service Implications

Department of Family and Community Development, University of Maryland

M. Laurie Leitch

Family Therapy Practice Center, Washington, DC

Central Americans represent one of the fastest growing groups in the United States. As service providers attempt to address the needs of this growing population, basic descriptive information is needed on the characteristics and immigration experience of these people. Ninety-one recently immigrated CentralAmericans were interviewed concerning their immigration experience, problems encountered in the United States, and utilization of services. Results indicated' that employment is a central organizing factor in these people's lives in that it is the area in which they experience the most stress and which they say has the greatest effect on their adjustment, both positively and negatively. In addition, there seems to be a relatively low level of service utilization in this group, although loss of a job is the one thing that many respondents report would lead them to seek help. These and other findings are discussed with an emphasis on implied clinical and social service needs of this population. Suggested avenues for service delivery are presented.

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