Immigration and attendant psychological sequelae: a comparison of three waves of Iraqi immigrants
Author: Jamil H, Nassar McMillan SC, Lambert RG
Source:
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77(2), 199-205.
Acculturation, the process by which individuals or groups transition from one or
more cultures into another, can be complex and often stressful. In many cases,
reason for immigration can contribute, both positively and negatively, to levels
of acculturative stress. Immigrants to the United States from Iraq over the past
several decades have shifted in terms of prevalence, reason for and ease of
immigration, and pre and postmigration trauma among individuals and groups. The
authors examined the psychological by-products of acculturative stress by
measuring posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression among three
distinct waves of immigrants from Iraq. The authors found support for the
hypotheses that these variables were positively correlated with recency of
immigration. Implications for psychological practitioners are discussed. 2007
APA, all rights reserved