Migration-related stress and depression: perceived social support and appraisal of the migration experience
Keywords:
Migration-related stress, depression, cognitive processes, social supportAbstract
The phenomenon of migration is becoming increasingly common, giving rise to significant social challenges stemming from the processes of adaptation and coexistence among different cultures. The psychological well-being of immigrants is at risk as they face significant stress related to homesickness for their country and culture of origin; discrimination; psychosocial stress; and the clash between their culture of origin and that of the host country. This study conducted a quantitative analysis with a descriptive and inferential approach using a sample of 270 individuals of Maghrebi or Latin American origin residing in Spain. The results suggest that not all immigrants experience migration-related stress in the same way; certain sociodemographic variables influence how the migration process affects well-being. Every migratory stressor is associated with the risk of depression, except for homesickness. Perceived social support and an assessment of the challenges associated with the migration process as expected reduce the risk of depression. However, only the latter has the ability to mitigate the effects of migration-related stress on the risk of depression. This study highlights the importance of cognitive processes when examining how migration affects people’s mental health, pointing to new approaches that go beyond focusing solely on the symptoms and signs of depression.
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