Mobility, Migration and Mental Health: Translation to Action - Presented by Division 8, Health Psychology

Mobility, Migration and Mental Health: Translation to Action

Mobility and migration of people has been identified as one of the most important contemporary phenomena and an increasingly necessary component of economic and social development in today’s globalized world. A large volume of literature has found that mobility leads to physical and psychological vulnerability. Migrants face stressors such as high risk of exposure to traumatic events, low social status, poor social integration, separation from their family and familiar social surroundings, and barriers to access to needed health services. Despite its social relevance, the impact of migration on health remains an understudied topic in psychology, and limited psychological research has been conducted on the impact of internal migration on health in developing countries and international migration from low- and middle-income countries. The increasing recognition of the importance of migration on mental health outcomes warrants a more comprehensive examination of psychological research and its effective translation and implementation. This can contribute to formulate and prioritize a translational research agenda that is responsive to real-world needs.

The goal of the roundtable discussion in this webinar is to discuss important issues related to mobility, migration and mental health worldwide. We aim to share and enhance our understanding of the related psychological and behavioral research and practice, and facilitate efforts to further develop research and responsive programs and policies that reflect current science. The potential topics to be discussed include:

1. What are the effects of identity crisis and discrimination on migrants? How can these negative influences be overcome?
2. What are the key risk and protective factors that mediate or moderate the effect of migration on the health of migrants?
3. How to conduct and evaluate effective intervention to improve migrants’ physical and mental health?
4. What gaps exist in our knowledge about migration, mobility and health? What are some useful frameworks or theories that can help guide our research in the field of migration and health?
5. What change and impact does mobility and migration entail for daily life and social relations?
6. What are some of the prevailing concerns that migrants and highly mobile individuals experience that make them a unique populations to study?

Moderator: Yiqun Gan, China

Discussant: Sonia Lippke, Germany

Speakers:

John de Wit, Netherlands

Brian J. Hall, USA

Danhua Lin, China

Sita G. Patel, USA

Presented on April 22, 2021