Dealing With Immigration Stresses

The psychological stressors associated with immigration are numerous and complex. Some of these stressors are largely psychosocial in nature. Others involve racial profiling or adjusting to a different culture and legal system. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate or manage these issues. The following article will help you deal with some of the most common immigration stressors. In addition to the psychological stressors, immigration also involves a wide variety of physical, social, and legal issues.
Psychosocial stressors
Various studies have investigated the psychosocial stressors of immigration. According to one, intergenerational conflict is a major contributor to acculturative stress. Similarly, Portes and Rumbaut (2001) found that second-generation immigrants experienced dissonant acculturation, in which children master the language of the host country faster than their parents do. This decreases parental protectiveness, and has been linked to higher risks of mental health.
Racial profiling
Despite the European Union’s commitment to racial equality, there is still a huge problem of racial profiling. While there are many factors that can lead to this issue, the main problem is that the law has not been updated to deal with it. In the meantime, the EU’s agency for fundamental rights and equality is drafting a new guide to combat the practice of racial profiling.
Adaptation to a new culture
The rise of the immigrant population has raised the issue of cultural adaptation. This type of stress has been linked to serious psychological effects. Researchers are interested in learning more about how immigrants adapt to their new culture. This type of stress is caused by the increasing contacts with people of other cultures and is especially relevant in today’s globalized society. Moreover, it can lead to many adverse effects, which is why it’s crucial to understand it properly.
Adaptation to a new country’s legal system
Adaptation to a new country’ law system and social culture is an ongoing process for immigrants. The transition can be a stressful time for both the newcomer and the host country. The host country can react against the newcomer, compounding the stresses. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the impact of stress during immigration. The following article explores some of these factors.
Impact on immigrant mental health
Many migrants are affected by stress related to immigration. According to a recent study, approximately 60% of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border exhibit signs of anxiety and depression. However, this number is likely lower than the actual number of individuals with the conditions. Some migrants also experience post-traumatic stress and depression. Doctors Without Borders provides health services for migrants in Mexican border cities. It has not conducted a survey of the actual numbers of migrants who suffer from mental health issues but reports that it is common in the group.