Psychological Theories of Immigration

Abstract

Psychology provides a theoretical perspective for the analysis of human behavior and the social environment resulting from immigration. Acculturation outcomes have been of primary interest within the field of psychology as they connect to immigrant well-being. This review expands the focus from acculturation outcomes to the frameworks of acculturative stress, cultural learning, attachment theory, and ethnic identity to further explore the individual and social factors impacting immigrant psychological well-being. A review of each framework's interpretation for the varied immigrant adaptation responses is included. In addition, the coping strategies or mediating factors presented by each framework in connection to immigrant adaptation within a new environment are discussed. This review concludes with suggestions for psychological frameworks to expand their research in the immigrant experience to further contribute to the knowledge base of human behavior and the social environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Acculturation
• attachment theory
• cultural learning theory
• ethnic identity
• immigrants
• psychology