Psychological Issues of First Generation Immigrants

First-generation immigrants usually make the move based on a desire for freedom, for educational reasons, religious reasons or for the general safety and well-being of self or family. First-generation immigrants are sometime unfamiliar with the language and views of the country they move to, which can cause problems the immigrants were not expecting. Many first-generation immigrants suffer from a great deal of stress and this stress can trigger psychological issues that are not necessarily often found in natives.

Loneliness

• Many immigrants migrate from a place where everyone is connected and there is a constant feeling of being surrounded by family and friends. These immigrants often end up in a place where they don't know anyone or only know a select few. When this is combined with not being aware of surroundings and a language barrier, the immigrant can become extremely lonely. Loneliness is a leading cause of depression, which is a likely next step for the immigrant if the loneliness is not dealt with appropriately.

Stress and Anxiety

• Aside from the normal stresses one incurs when moving to a completely new place, an immigrant faces the added stress of dealing with the responsibility of passing down a culture. If an immigrant is relocating with a family, it usually becomes a goal to pass along the native culture to offspring, since a whole new culture is being absorbed. This can often cause immigrant parents to become stressed, especially when meeting resistance from family who wish to fully acculturate. This can lead to anxiety issues and depression. Another form of stress for first-generation immigrants is money. Many immigrants arrive in their new country with very few amenities, and sometimes have to find and work multiple jobs to make ends meet.

Political Violence and Trauma

• Depending on where an immigrant's native home is, there is a chance that the immigrant has witnessed and been a part of political violence. The viewing of political violence can lead to mental health issues and is referred to as "prevalence of exposure to political violence." Exposure to political violence can lead to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Treatment

• One of the biggest issues first-generation immigrants will face is proper health care. It is important that immigrants receive the proper care for any psychological issues that may arise due to the immigration. Many cities offer free treatment centers, but it can be difficult for an immigrant, especially one who does not speak the language, to find or even know about these centers. When there is a lack of treatment, the issue just continues, often worsening.