Experiences of a Group of Venezuelan Migrant Women: An Analysis from Coping and Intersectionality

Abstract

The research was based on understanding the experiences of a group of Venezuelan migrant women in Spain. Method followed was mixed research, whose objective was to analyze the complexity of the migratory experience from coping and intersectionality. There were 20 intentionally selected women. Instruments used were an inventory of coping strategies and an interview script. Results: average age 42.60 years. General average in coping strategies used by migrants was 18.25 for problem solving, 4.95 for self-criticism, 12.75 for emotional expression, 12.35 for illusions, 13.55 for social support, 14.45 for cognitive restructuring, 7.00 for problem avoidance, and 7.20 for social withdrawal. The stressful situations were categorized as economic, family, social, and migratory. Also, they are identified as a vulnerable group intercepted by the axes: gender, class and social origin, rationalization, and ethnic and cultural diversity. Likewise, three categories were identified: access to work and working conditions, forms of linguistic rejection, and stereotypes based on hypersexualization. Migrants have similar sociodemographic characteristics compared to other studies. Likewise, they face migratory stress through a problem-solving strategy. On the other hand, from an intersectional perspective, the axes and categories identified are related to the dynamics of power and exclusion that impact migrants and make them vulnerable.