Describe some of the psychological stressors that are unique to the immigrant population. What are the reasons for this?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Immigrants may experience anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, or posttraumatic stress. Many fear for the safety of relatives and friends facing persecution or violence in another country. The 21st century has become a time when many immigrants groups are viewed with suspicion, targeted for selective prosecution, subjected to hate crimes, and in some cases threatened with deportation. For example, immigrants faced mounting stressors in 2017, when presidential executive orders either barred travel from specific countries or halted entry into the United States for many refugees seeking sanctuary. Since the turn of the century, psychologists involved in assessing or treating members of immigrant groups have reported numerous issues in both adults and children, ranging from posttraumatic stress, anxiety disorders, language barriers, and problems with acculturation. Immigrants who are undocumented often fear reporting victimization—such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking—so as not to bring attention to themselves. There are also social and cultural barriers to seeking mental health services.