Evidence suggests that social identities, which provide purpose and a sense of belonging, enhance resilience against psychological strain and safeguard well‐being. This applies to first‐generation migrant populations facing adverse experiences, including prejudice and disconnection from previous identities during host country integration, negatively impacting their well‐being. The importance of social identity also extends to first‐generation migrant descendants, confronting dual‐identity challenges and experiencing exclusion and discrimination despite being native born. Building on the social identity approach to mental health, 20 semi‐structured interviews were conducted to investigate how migrants construct their social identities, their perspective on the challenges and changes they experience in relation to group memberships and ultimately, the influence this has on their psychological well‐being. Findings emphasize the significance of social identity continuity and gain pathways in first‐generation migrants' successful adjustment and psychological well‐being. For second‐generation migrants, dual‐identity development is especially difficult during adolescence due to social exclusion and discrimination in schools. Even in early adulthood, pressure to maintain heritage identity can lead to negative mental health outcomes over time. The current study contributes to and strengthens the social identity approach to migrant mental health and has wider implications for psychological interventions and policy.

中文翻译：

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社会认同、心理健康和移民经历


有证据表明，提供目标和归属感的社会身份可以增强对心理压力的抵御能力并保障幸福感。这适用于第一代移民人口，他们面临不良经历，包括在东道国融入过程中受到偏见和与以前身份的脱节，这对他们的福祉产生负面影响。社会身份的重要性也延伸到第一代移民后代，尽管他们是土生土长的，但他们面临着双重身份的挑战，并遭受了排斥和歧视。在心理健康的社会认同方法的基础上，进行了 20 次半结构化访谈，以调查移民如何构建他们的社会身份，他们对与群体成员身份相关的挑战和变化的看法，以及最终这对他们的心理健康的影响。研究结果强调了社会身份连续性和获得途径对第一代移民成功适应和心理健康的重要性。对于第二代移民来说，由于学校的社会排斥和歧视，双重身份的发展在青春期尤其困难。即使在成年早期，随着时间的推移，维护传统身份的压力也会导致负面的心理健康结果。目前的研究有助于并加强移民心理健康的社会认同方法，并对心理干预和政策具有更广泛的影响。