Empathic Family Stress in the Haitian Community

​​Empathic family stress is a type of stress experienced due to various challenges that are linked directly or indirectly to living with close, distant, and affinal family members. A research study was conducted in the Haitian community to determine the nature and impact of empathic stress in the lives of these community members.

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According to this study by Nicola, DeSilva, Prater, and Bronkoski (2009), 134 Haitians living in the United States were recruited through community centers, churches, beauty salons, and radio announcements. These adult participants (82 women and 52 men), aged 22 years and above, were on average 41 years old. The majority (76%) earned $40,000 or less and lived in households of about four people.

Using the Neighborhood and Family Questionnaire (NFQ), the researchers were able to assess for any indication of stress experienced by the participants. The Center for Epidemiologic studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was utilized to document the presence of depression symptoms. To measure acculturation stress or stress derived from adjusting to another culture, the Social Attitudinal Familial and Environmental (SAFE) scale was used. These measuring tools were all administered in English at the community centers, churches, or homes of the participants.

Based on the Neighborhood and Family Questionnaire, 30 to 40% of the participants had parents and grand-parents who were not residing in the United States. In total, 20 to 30% of them reported that their siblings resided afar in another country. Among all participants, 50% revealed having “relatives who are dependent on them”. As estimated, 48% of the participants (n = 64) expressed the feeling that “their relatives request too many favors from them”. The average score for empathic family stress was 12.77 (SD 7.16). A score of 1 meant that they worried the least, whereas a score of 32 indicated that they worried excessively. For 54% of the participants (n = 72), “family members’ health problems caused [this empathic family] stress”. The results of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) showed that empathic stress was strongly associated with depression and acculturation stress. A similar association was found between depression and acculturation stress. Using regression analysis, the researchers discovered that “as participants’ levels of empathic family stress increase, so do their depressive symptoms”.
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As suggested in the literature and this study, empathic stress is the expression of the relative strong connectedness that exists between Haitians. However, some Haitians evidenced a substantial level of empathic stress linked with depression. In light of these research findings, there is a need to address the coping mechanisms of Haitians to stress within their socio-cultural contexts to promote optimal mental and physical health.


References

1. Marco Dormino (Photographer). (2010, January 21). Haitians carry a pregnant woman in Port-au-Prince, following a second earthquake [photograph]. Port-au-Prince, Haiti: AFP. Retrieved from http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2010/01/21/1225822/043095-haiti.jpg  

2. Nicolas, G., DeSilva, A., Prater, K., & Bronkoski, E. (2009). Empathic family stress as a sign of family connectedness in Haitian immigrants. Family Process, 48(1), 135-150. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2009.01272.x