Social Identity Discontinuation, Effects on Self-esteem and Mental Health of Spouses of International Students in the US

Abstract

This article through interviewing 16 wives of international students from 10 different countries, who used to be professional women before coming to the US, examines how not continuing the pre-migration professional identity can negatively affect the self-esteem and mental health. The participants came to the US with an F-2 visa, which prohibits them from paid-employment. This study through adapting the Social Identity Model of Identity Change Framework by adding the element of immigration policy, shows that how restrictive immigration policies can disrupt or postpone new social identity formation or the continuation of old identity through group membership processes.