Mental and Behavioral Health of Immigrants in the United States

Book excerpt: Mental and Behavioral Health of Immigrants in the United States reviews research on immigrant mental health, acculturation, and multicultural psychology. The book is divided into three sections: Section A addresses the geographic and social context of immigration, including how parents and children navigate the acculturation process, how different cultural orientations affect behavior, and research methods on acculturation. Sections B and C focus on mental health issues common to Latinx, Asian, and Arab/Middle Eastern immigrants, and then more broadly across immigrant groups. Included here are a focus on depression, anxiety, and somatization, as well as alcohol abuse, insomnia, and issues for LGBTQ+ individuals. Pre- and post-migration stressors are discussed, as well as the effects of prejudice and bias, the mental health effects of religion and spirituality, and managing the demands of both work and family. Contributors from psychology, education, and social work provide different perspectives and identify opportunities for future research. - Summarizes research on mental health issues common to immigrants - Identifies prevalence of mental disorders among ethnic minorities in the United States - Examines the impact of group-based discrimination on mental health - Explores the impact of acculturation on mental health - Reviews mental health issues specific to Latinx, Asian, and Middle Eastern immigrants - Covers alcohol abuse, sleep, and other disorders across immigrant groups