Table 4.
Percentage or Mean Score of Work-Related, Economic, and Social Stressors Among Day Laborers by Allostatic Load Score
| Low AL (n = 15) | High AL (n = 15) | Total (N = 30) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work-related stressor | |||
| Years working as a day laborer (M; SD) | 4.6; 6.0 | 10.5; 8.7 | 7.6; 8.0 |
| Have you ever worked a job where you feared you might be hurt or killed? (Yes) | 33.3 | 53.3 | 43.3 |
| Have you ever left or not done a job because it was dangerous? (Yes) | 6.7 | 26.7 | 16.7 |
| Would you report concerns of hazardous working conditions to the on-site employer? (Yes) | 80.0 | 93.3 | 86.7 |
| If faced with a workplace hazard, would you ask the employer for safety equipment/tools? (Yes) | 100.0 | 93.3 | 96.7 |
| Do you feel your immigration status affects how safe your job is? (Yes) | 46.7 | 60.0 | 53.3 |
| Do you find it difficult to find the work you want because you are of Latino descent? (Yes) | 66.7 | 60.0 | 63.3 |
| Economic stressor | |||
| Would you say you have more money than you need? | |||
| Not enough | 80.0 | 100.0 | 90.0 |
| Just enough | 20.0 | 0.0 | 10.0 |
| More than enough | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| How difficult is it for you to pay your monthly bills? | |||
| Very | 46.7 | 66.6 | 56.7 |
| Somewhat | 40.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 |
| Not very | 13.3 | 6.7 | 10.0 |
| Not at all | 0.0 | 6.7 | 3.3 |
| How often in the past 12 months have you not been able to buy food? | |||
| Often | 39.9 | 33.3 | 36.7 |
| Sometimes | 46.7 | 53.3 | 49.9 |
| Rarely | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| Never | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| How do you feel about the economic opportunity you have had in the United States? | |||
| Very dissatisfied | 6.7 | 13.3 | 10.0 |
| Dissatisfied | 33.3 | 53.3 | 43.3 |
| Neither dissatisfied nor satisfied | 33.3 | 26.7 | 30.1 |
| Satisfied | 20.0 | 6.7 | 13.3 |
| Very satisfied | 6.7 | 0.0 | 3.3 |
| Subjective social status at this current time; range = 1 to 10 (M; SD) | 4.7; 2.3 | 3.8; 2.1 | 4.3; 2.2 |
| Subjective social status relative to others in the United States; range = 1 to 10 (M; SD) | 3.2; 1.4 | 3.9; 1.9 | 3.5; 1.6 |
| Social stressor | |||
| Everyday discriminationa; range = 1 to 6 (M; SD) | 2.0; 1.0 | 2.5; 1.3 | 2.2; 1.1 |
| Do you feel guilty for leaving family or friends in your country of origin? (Yes) | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 |
| Do you feel that in the United States you have the respect you had in your country of origin? (Yes) | 53.3 | 33.3 | 43.3 |
| Do you feel that living out of your country of origin has limited your contact with family or friends? (Yes) | 73.3 | 66.7 | 70.0 |
| Do you find it hard interacting with others because of difficulties you have with the English language? (Yes) | 86.7 | 66.7 | 76.7 |
| Do people treat you badly because they think you do not speak English well or speak with an accent? (Yes) | 26.7 | 26.7 | 26.7 |
| Have you been questioned about your legal status? (Yes) | 20.0 | 53.3 | 36.7 |
| Do you think you will be deported if you go to a social or government agency? (Yes) | 53.3 | 73.3 | 63.3 |
| Do you avoid seeking health services due to fear of immigration officials? (Yes) | 33.3 | 33.3 | 33.3 |
Note. AL = allostatic load. Low AL = 0 to 1; high AL = 2 to 4.
a
Top three reasons for experiencing everyday discrimination were “race” (7 participants), “ancestry or national origin” (6 participants), and “skin color” (2 participants).