Acculturation Strategies and Their Impact on Psychological Health

The dramatic rise in migration during this decade has sparked many questions regarding migrant’s choices and how these choices determined or altered their lives. This study explores the impact of various acculturation strategies—assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization—on the mental well-being of migrants. Our research strategy involves employing a literature review to synthesize quantitative data from psychological assessments and qualitative insights from migrant interviews. Findings indicate that marginalization, characterized by a lack of engagement with both the host and origin cultures, correlates with the poorest mental health outcomes, including heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Conversely, integration, where migrants maintain their cultural heritage while also participating in the host culture, is associated with the most favorable psychological health, reflecting lower stress levels and higher life satisfaction. While some migrants report a sense of security and identity preservation, others experience isolation and limited social support, leading to mixed mental health outcomes. Ultimately, this research sheds light on how migrants’ approach to cultural ties can be pivotal in their lives by directly impacting their psychological health. We aim for this paper to be a didactic source of information for policy makers, migrants and even citizens to use in order to create societies that promote collectivity and cultural diversity. Keywords: Acculturation, psychological health, mental health, migration