Date of Award
Spring 2025
Language
English
Embargo Period
5-12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School/Department
Department of Africana, Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies
Program
Spanish - Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Christine Bose
Second Advisor
Dr. Walter Little
Third Advisor
Dr. Barbara Sutton
Keywords
Migration, Human Capital, Transnationalism, Migratory Mourning, Ulyses Syndrome, Migrants' Circular Triggers, Emotional Health
Subject Categories
Other Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Migration is a complex social, economic, cultural, and political issue. While research often highlights the positive aspects of migration, the emotional well-being of migrants is frequently overlooked. This qualitative dissertation examines the emotional experiences of heterosexual Peruvian women migrants, focusing on those who migrate either to join male partners in the United States or alone after abandonment. It analyzes how their emotional health is affected during pre-migration, migration, and post-migration stages. The study reveals persistent stressors impacting emotional well-being using migration, transnational, and human capital theories, a gender-focused perspective, and the Ulysses Syndrome or Immigrant Syndrome concept.
The research question that leads this study is how migration impacts the emotional health of Peruvian migrant women. To answer this, I analyzed the accounts of 30 heterosexual Peruvian migrant women based on in-depth interviews asking about various stages of their migration journey. Some had lived in the U.S. for over a decade, while others were recent arrivals. These women sought better living conditions but faced significant risks. I focused on three key migratory stressors, drawn from aspects of the Ulysses Syndrome framework: 1) missing loved ones, 2) adapting to the host country, and 3) a lost sense of belonging.
The study helps shed light on the fact that rather than healing, migrants develop coping mechanisms to navigate the churning waters of grief and the profound sense of loss they experience as they leave behind their former lives. This includes the intimate tapestry of their identities, the warmth of familiar homes, and the deep connections woven through cherished relationships, all of which have been uprooted. Their narratives revealed a rich landscape of emotions, painting vivid pictures of sadness, feelings of rejection, and a haunting sense of isolation due to a perceived lack of support. A recurring and poignant theme emerged: the deep-seated fear of forging connections with others in the host country. This anxiety often springs from the precariousness of their immigration status, casting a long shadow over their ability to engage and belong. The study’s analysis leads to a new concept, which I label Migrants' Circular Triggers (MCT).
License
This work is licensed under the University at Albany Standard Author Agreement.
Recommended Citation
Abad, Arinka A., "The Emotional Side of Migration: Peruvian Women Migrant's Experiences in the U.S." (2025). Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present). 245.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/etd/245
