Stress and Coping in the Lives of Recent Immigrants and Refugees: Considerations for Counseling

Article Critique
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The article "Stress and Coping in the Lives of Recent Immigrants and Refugees: Considerations for Counseling," written by Yakushko et al. (2008), summarizes and synthesizes the findings of previous studies conducted on the stressors and coping strategies of immigrants and refugees. The authors used a qualitative phenomenological approach to review and analyze the data from the earlier studies. This approach is necessary because it incorporates a unit of analysis and is designed to appraise and explore the value lived experiences of immigrants, especially about psychology. This method is also authentic because it uses scholarly evidence, derives research hypotheses and leverages observations during data collection. A significant deal of the research article discusses the pre- and post-migration stressors while utilizing the theories of stress. Lastly, the article offers insights on the implications of counselling for this population, which implies that it adds to the limited knowledge in the field of psychology (Yakushko et al., 2008). This paper critiques the article mentioned above by exploring its strengths, including its relevancy, practical implications, as well as the authenticity of the methods employed. It also includes weaknesses, such as a lack of transparency and consideration for identity intersections.
The research article is highly relevant, particularly in today's global society, whereby people are increasingly migrating from one country, with increased mental health issues for the RIR population. According to a Pew Research release, more than 900,000 immigrants became U.S. citizens as of the fiscal year 2022 (Passel & Cohn, 2022), while an estimated 11.35 million undocumented immigrants entered the country in 2022 (Camarota & Zeigler, 2022). On the other hand, refugees increased from 2021 to 2022 by more than half (Statista, 2022). This statistic reveals the severity of the matter as push and pulls factors mentioned in the article, such as civil war, rape and torture, poverty, and search for greener pastures and threats in their homes (Yakushko et al., 2008), have significantly caused the high immigration rates. Understanding the stressors and coping strategies of immigrants and refugees is crucial for providing effective counselling and support services. As much as the article was published in 2008, it remains relevant and a significant contribution to the field of counselling and mental health, as well as policymakers working with the RIR populations.
Accordingly, the article provides practical implications for counsellors working with the RIR population. American Psychiatric Association (n.d.) states that one in three asylum seekers and refugees experience a high prevalence of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This number may not represent the whole population, as some cases go unreported; hence, immigrants and refugees are at a higher risk of mental health issues than the average population. Owing to the extent of the problem, this research provides valuable insights on addressing the issue, including incorporating culturally relevant mental h...