Viewing Latina Immigrant Mothers in Asturias, Spain, Through an Existential Psychology Lens

This paper reports the results of using an existential psychology perspective to examine interview responses of 13 Latina mothers who had immigrated to the Asturias region of Spain. Purposes of the interviews included determining the Latinas’ reasons for immigrating. their post-migration challenges, and their responses to those challenges. Thematic analysis of the Latinas’ answers to interview questions revealed that their deciding to migrate to Spain and their responses to post-migration challenges can be understood in terms of the key existential psychology concepts of free choice and meaning. The analysis revealed two self-identifications that provided the Latinas with life meaning that helped them deal with challenges: Being a Mother and Determination to Move Forward. It is argued that the presence of these two meanings in the Latinas’ experiences provided them with a sense of coherence, purpose, and significance and helps account for the women’s strength and resilience in the face of post-immigration economic, social, and personal challenges and for their choosing to remain in Spain despite those challenges.