The Importance of Motivations for Emigration in Understanding Post-Migration Mental Health Outcomes Among Diasporic Venezuelans in the United States and Colombia

Abstract

Since 2015, over seven million Venezuelans have left their home country, with significant numbers resettling in the United States and Colombia. The aim of the present study was to examine the primary motivations for migration among Venezuelans relocating to these two countries, and to assess whether these motivations were associated with their destination choice. Additionally, we explored how migration motivations were linked to mental health outcomes (i.e., symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptom count) within this population. We conducted an online survey with 647 Venezuelan participants to assess mental health outcomes and explored their primary reasons for leaving Venezuela through open-ended questions. Responses were analyzed using sequential exploratory content analysis and latent class analysis. Eight thematic categories of reason to migrate were identified, and three distinct latent classes emerged: Political Threats, Economic Insecurity, and Shortages and Street Violence. Reasons to migrate differed significantly between destination countries, with more wealthy individuals relocating to the United States. We also found that PTSD symptom count was significantly different among migrants in the Political Threats class residing in the United States, compared to those in the other two classes. No class differences for anxiety or depressive symptoms were observed. A better understanding of how varying motivations for migration may influence migrants’ destination choices and their mental health can help inform more effective clinical interventions, and guide policymakers in planning and responding to future migration movements.