However, in order to comprehend this experience, I believe that it is most important to understand the specific circumstances surrounding her immigration. Only with this information can we begin to make assumptions about and comprehend her immigration experience. Transitions have long been regarded by social scientists and mental health professionals to be stressful. Events such as moves, job changes, and ruptures in relationships are known to be highly disruptive, often triggering a variety of reactions such as anxiety, anger, or depression.
Immigration is stressful in a variety of ways.
Immigrants are stripped of many of their sustaining social relationships, as well as of their roles which provide them with culturally scripted notions of how they fit into the world. Without a sense of competence, control, and belonging, they may feel marginalized. At the same time, these changes are highly disorienting and nearly inevitably lead to a keen sense of loss. As a woman, I have been intrigued by how the immigration experience is different for women and men. However, I have found little solid research in the area of how the immigration experience differs for the two sexes, so that it is difficult to allow for much in the way of valid generalizations.