A Content Analysis of Immigrant and Refugee Research: A 31-year Review

Abstract

This study systematically reviewed the immigrant and refugee research in counseling psychology and related fields, which included 323 empirical studies in 310 articles, over a 31-year period. We analyzed the content and methods in (a) participant characteristics, (b) study characteristics, (c) topics and theoretical frameworks, and (d) publication trends. To summarize key findings, top nations of origin included Mexico, China, and South Korea. English-speaking, young individuals and college students were overrepresented in study participants. Acculturation and enculturation was one of the most frequently used variables, topics, and theories. Nevertheless, the proportion of acculturation and enculturation research has declined over time, while research on racial bias and discrimination has increased since 2000. It suggests growing attention to sociopolitical dimensions of migration beyond cultural transition. Qualitative methods were frequently used when studying Middle Eastern immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ issues. We evaluated the findings from strength-based, bidirectional, ecological, and intersectional perspectives and suggest directions for research, practice, advocacy, education, and training.

Perceptions and Experiences of Psychotherapy Among Forced Migrants With Limited English Proficiency

“…or is psychotherapy for either "crazies," as one participant shared, or those residing in the United States. Forced migrants come to the United States from various countries that stigmatize psychotherapy or deprioritize mental healthcare (Kahn et al, 2018;Yoon et al, 2023). For that reason, some avoided initiating therapy and did not understand the function of Western psychotherapy.…”

“…Centering the voices of forced migrants aligns with a strengths-based approach (Yoon et al, 2023) that can counter marginalization. Joining forced migrants in conversations about psychotherapy services may reduce "othering" (i.e., language, perceptions, behaviors, and systems that dichotomize groups and reify categories of "like us" and "alien"; Weiss, 1995).…”

“…The premigration, migration, and resettlement experiences of forced migrants are part of a developmental trajectory (e.g., Yoon et al, 2023) that for many is marked by resilience (e.g., Dubus, 2022) and even posttraumatic growth (e.g., Maung et al, 2021). That being said, the rates of psychiatric diagnoses in this population exceed those of the general population (Henkelmann et al, 2020).…”

Migratory grief and mental health in first-generation Korean American immigrants.

“…Migratory grief has been theoretically connected to attachment loss (Bowlby, 1961), with proposed stages of grief including initial shock, despair, and final acceptance as immigrants adjust to the new environment (Arredondo-Dowd, 1981). Although migratory grief is a significant aspect of the immigration experience (Yoon et al, 2023), conceptual or empirical literature on this topic is scarce.…”

Ideological and Experiential Predictors of Asian Americans’ Attitudes Towards Black Americans

“…Research on intra-minority relationships, specifically, Asian and Black relationships, has largely been unattended to, possibly for fear of diverting attention from and diluting the gravity of White racism (Yoon, Cabirou, et al, 2023). However, intra-minority relationships are an important part of Asian and Black Americans’ racial experiences that deserve serious research attention.…”