Immigration Impacts on Iranian-American Youth Mental Health

Abstract

Field observation of Iranian American Immigrants (IAI) shows a broad spectrum of mental health problems, including unsuccessful/ successful suicidal attempts, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, school dropout, substance abuse, and parent-child conflicts among younger IAI. Although in the onset of mental health conditions like schizophrenia and depression, genetic factors, family history, and pre-immigration incidents are involved, the role of stressful environmental factors and life experiences, including immigration and post-immigration situations are significant. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 23 IAI,18-26, this qualitative research investigated the impact of immigration on their mental health aiming to find if participants had experienced stress and how they assessed this experience. Applying the interpretative phenomenological analysis conducted manually in thematic content and inductive reasoning, the five themes were identified as patterns of stressors, perception of stress, coping mechanisms, manifestations of stress, and participants' reflections. The results showed all IAI youth experienced stress from language barriers, cultural barriers, a lack of social acceptance, and parents' high expectations. Racism, discrimination, bullying, stereotyping, identity struggles, parents' cultural norms, parents' demands, parent-child conflicts, and financial difficulties were among other stressors. Stress experienced by participants affected their emotional and physical health resulting in low self-esteem, worries, perfectionism, and fearfulness. Also, they reported social withdrawal, depression, anxiety, difficulties with transparency, physical symptoms, and academic challenges. To manage their stress, participants chose physical activities, seeking help, learning new skills, avoidance of stressful situations, and smoking or vaping. All participants seemed satisfied with immigration to the US despite experiencing stress which was particularly true when they compared themselves with their relatives or friends in Iran. Since all participants have experienced stress due to immigration at a younger age, they might have difficulty in communication, confidence, or trust. Their relationships might be affected leading to dissatisfaction and conflict with their partners, families, and social networks. Developing immigrant-supportive policies and providing social support for this population at multiple levels of individual, family, and community are fundamental to decreasing the risk of mental health conditions in IAI youth. Therefore, creating systematic programs that address IAI youth needs in terms of mental health conditions is crucial.