Publication Date
2011
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Department
School for Social Work
Keywords
Women migrant labor-United States, Stress (Psychology), Stress management for women, Adjustment (Psychology), Migrant farmworkers, Mexican women, Stress, Coping, Miexican American women agricultural laborers-Psychology
Abstract
This qualitative study investigates the subjective experiences of Mexican migrant farmworking women in the South Texas region. This study will provide an understanding of how stress of the migrant farmwork lifestyle affects Mexican migrant farmworking women. Specifically, the line of inquiry is guided by one main research question: How do Mexican migrant farmworking women cope in reaction to stress? This study reviews a range of literature on migrant farmworkers and the significant stressors they are faced with. Through their own narratives, 12 female Mexican migrant farmworkers from the South Texas region reveal how they are confronted with the complex stressors of their migrant journey and the coping strategies they employ in response to those stressors. This study provides some understanding of the strength and resiliency that migrant farmworking women have. The findings of this research study portray various qualities that Mexican migrant farmworking women have and the resiliency that they posses should be acknowledged. These migrant women who work in the harvest fields reported minimal exposure to social workers, which may indicate that this population is underserved despite their struggles. It is essential for social workers to adhere to the principles of social justice and by gaining a better understanding of the lives of migrant farmworkers; social workers can advocate and provide better services to this population.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Padilla Zapata, Joana, "Mujeres cultivando raices : the experience of Mexican migrant farmworking women and how they cope in reaction to stress" (2011). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1006
Comments
v, 61 p. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2011. Dedication in Spanish, demographic form, recruitment letter, survey and interview guide in English and Spanish. Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-48)