Page 282 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

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migration and settlement—and in some
ImmIgrant Women cases, return migration—occur within fluid,
in-between spaces of transition and ongoing
social, cultural, economic, and identity adap-
Migration entails the movement of individu- tations and adjustments (Donnelly, 2006).
als and groups from one region or country The migration transition involves prepara-
to another with the intent of temporary or tion, the migratory act, complex processes
permanent settlement. Internal migration of settling in and adapting to the new envi-
within national borders often flows from ronment, and ensuing identity transforma-
rural to urban areas. Transnational migra- tions. In planned migration, the transition
tion is a global phenomenon with both begins with anticipation and preparation.
causes and consequences in social, cultural, Some women may engage in premigration
political, and health arenas (Messias, 2007). health practices (e.g., engaging in preventive
Women tend to leave their homes because of examinations or checkups, acquiring stocks
economic, political, environment, and social of prescription medications) either as part
difficulties and instability and often seek of formal migration procedures, to validate
family reunification, improved educational their personal health status, or as a strategy
and economic opportunities, with hopes and to avoid untoward future medical and den-
plans for a more stable and productive life tal expenses in the host country (Hilfinger
for themselves and their families. However, Messias, 2002). Migration tends to be an
the migratory passage and settlement expe- ongoing transition that has no set time span
riences often expose women to health risks, or universally applicable critical points or
increased social, physical, and emotional events (Messias, 2010). It is a transition that
vulnerabilities, and social marginalization. may be “reactivated” over time in conjunc-
In terms of health care access, immigrant tion with other situational, developmental,
women frequently encounter multiple bar- and health–illness transitions (e.g., job loss,
riers to appropriate and affordable services, pregnancy, personal or family illness, and
resources, and support. death of a family member).
In nursing, a transitions perspective Researchers also use other conceptual
is particularly appropriate for research on frameworks and theories to describe and
immigrant women’s health (Meleis, Sawyer, explain the health experiences and responses
Im, Messias, & Schumacher, 2000; Messias, of immigrants. These include selective
2010). For women—and those who migrate migration, opposing positions of the posi-
with them or whom they leave behind— tive or negative effect of migration on health,
migration is a complex social, cultural, eco- and the interactions of immigrant accultur-
nomic, and environmental transition that ation and health (Im & Yang, 2006; Messias
may involve significant changes, disrup- & Rubio, 2004). Selective migration (also
tions, and differences in a wide range of referred to as the healthy migrant effect)
human interactions and social networks posits that migrants tend to be healthy and
(Jones, Zhang, & Meleis, 2003; McGuire & resilient in the face of the potential health
Martin, 2007). For most immigrant women, hazards of migration. The healthy migrant