Immigrant Children and Youth

Psychological Challenges

Alberto M. Bursztyn Ph.D., Carol Korn-Bursztyn, Alberto M. Bursztyn Ph.D., Carol Korn-Bursztyn

• Publisher: Praeger
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9781440803154
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9798216101123
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Demography
• Index: Social Sciences

Immigrants now comprise one-fourth of the 75 million children in the United States. The ability of today's immigrant children to become productively engaged adults hinges on their internal resources and mental health. This book ascertains their psychological challenges and their often misunderstood needs.

This book is intended to inform both the general public and professionals working with immigrant children and adolescents about the importance and complexity of addressing their psychological issues and experiential challenges. The work covers the topic of immigrant children's mental health from multiple perspectives while maintaining a focus on developmental needs and identifying the specific problems posed by linguistic and cultural transition.

The chapters present case studies and vignettes that serve to illustrate the topics, providing vivid depictions of mental health issues and highlighting the importance of specific interventions. As new immigrant groups continue to settle in the United States, the social and emotional well-being of their children has far-reaching implications for the future of our society, making this volume of critical significance to therapists, educators, policymakers, child advocates, and other audiences.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• 1. Introduction: Mental Health Risks and Possibilities in Cultural Transition
• 2. Acculturation in Immigrant Youths: The Role of Adaptation in Mental Health
• 3. Identities under Construction: Portraits of Urban Latino Adolescents
• 4. The Heart Will Know: Loss and Reunification
• 5. Where Is Home? A Narrative of Loss and Resilience
• 6. Sadness All About and I’m Wearing Pink Pants: Separation and Reunification
• 7. On Crafting a Resiliency Narrative
• 8. Latino Immigrant Youths and the Transnational Family
• 9. Psychological Vulnerability in Second Language Learning
• 10. Immigrant Youths and the Language of Music
• 11. Sex Trafficking and Migrant Youths
• 12. You Learn When You Fall Down: Experience and Adaptation in a Program for Court-Involved Youths
• 13. Narratives of Immigrant Community College Students
• 14. Undocumented Latino Youths Reach for College: Coming of Age in a Time of Uncertainty
• 15. Conclusion: Beyond Psychopathology and Toward Resilience
• About the Editors and Contributors
• Index