Migration brings opportunities, but it also carries deep emotional scars, often passed silently through generations.
First-generation immigrants and their families walk a tightrope between honoring their roots and navigating unfamiliar systems. As the spouse of a first-generation Haitian man, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the effects of migration extend beyond the individual to their relationships and family life. My husband’s parents arrived in the U.S. in the late 1970s, unable to read, write, or speak English. Despite these obstacles, they raised seven children who have gone on to become nurses, a respiratory therapist, and even a professional MMA fighter. On the surface, this is a story of triumph. But beneath it lies the emotional complexity of identity, cultural pressure, and psychological endurance.
Many first-gens feel the need to succeed as repayment for their parents’ sacrifices, a weight that can lead to achievement guilt, anxiety, and burnout. As a spouse, I’ve seen how this guilt can create emotional distance and self-silencing, especially when mental health isn’t openly discussed in the culture. According to Sue et al. (2012), this kind of internal conflict is common among immigrant families, where external success can mask emotional distress. For partners like me, it’s important to offer understanding and patience to recognize that love sometimes means creating space for unspoken wounds to surface.
Healing also requires culturally rooted support systems. Haitian families, like many immigrant communities, lean on spirituality, family bonds, and resilience. While formal therapy may carry stigma, healing can still take place through church involvement, community-based support, or seeking culturally informed mental health professionals. Cénat and Derivois (2014) note that spiritual coping and strong social networks are protective factors within Haitian communities, particularly after trauma. As a spouse, I’ve learned to respect and affirm these cultural tools, even when they look different from traditional Western mental health approaches.
Finally, intergenerational tension between immigrant parents and their American-born children is a frequent source of stress. Language barriers, generational expectations, and shifting family roles can strain relationships. However, when families commit to open communication, healing becomes possible. Kim et al. (2014) emphasize the importance of culturally sensitive dialogue in resolving these conflicts. As a partner standing between two cultures, I often find myself helping translate not just language, but emotion and intention, encouraging both sides to understand each other’s hearts.
Mental health for first-generation immigrants and their spouses is not just about survival. It’s about reclaiming identity, nurturing compassion, and choosing emotional wholeness. The wounds of migration may run deep, but with love, culture, and conscious care, healing is within reach.
Sources
Sue, D. W., Cheng, J. K. Y., Saad, C. S., & Chu, J. P. (2012). Asian American mental health: What we know and what we don’t know. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 3(1). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232533822_Asian_American_Mental_Health_What_We_Know_and_What_We_Don%27t_Know
Cénat, J. M., & Derivois, D. (2014). Prevalence and determinants of PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms in street children survivors of the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Journal of Affective Disorders, 159, 111–117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24890847/
Kim, S. Y., Schwartz, S. J., Perreira, K. M., & Juang, L. P. (2014). Acculturation and intergenerational conflict in immigrant families. Child Development Perspectives, 8(1), 36–41. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23046304/
