Thriving amidst adversity: longitudinal psychological well-being and economic mobility in the Puerto Rican climate diaspora

The present study examines the relationship between psychological well-being (PWB) and upward economic mobility (UEM) among 321 Puerto Rican survivors of Hurricane Maria who migrated to the mainland. We aimed to identify unique thriving trajectory classes based on PWB and UEM and assess variations in sociodemographic factors, hurricane trauma, mental health, cultural stress, and collective wellness. Using growth mixture modeling, three thriving classes were identified: Elevated PWB/Low UEM (n=81, 25%), Moderate PWB/Low UEM (n=23, 7%), and High PWB/High UEM (n=217, 68%). Findings indicate that those who faced severe hurricane trauma reported the highest thriving, emphasizing PWB and UEM as critical for policy and intervention. Results challenge the prevailing idea that climate migrants, such as Maria migrants, inevitably suffer from chronic poor psychological well-being and economic insecurity.