Taridashti Sarvenaz, Naseh Mitra, Garcia Elvira M Zamora, Lee Jihye
Montclair State University, Montclair, USA.
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2025 Aug 11. doi: 10.1007/s10903-025-01760-4.
Immigrants constitute a substantial portion of the United States population and represent a significant minoritized group whose health is impacted by the country's migration policies as social determinants of health. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to document and explore the lived experiences of highly educated Iranian immigrants and International Students within the context of U.S. migration policies while considering the Social Determinants of Health framework. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants. Reflexive thematic analysis of the data revealed four major themes (1) entry and reentry visa restrictions for Iranians; (2) the emotional and social impact of the U.S. Travel Ban; (3) family separation and emotional distress; and (4) mental health impacts of immigration uncertainty. Findings highlight significant challenges faced by this population, including extended family separations, career uncertainties, and psychological distress. Participants reported heightened anxiety, insomnia, and feelings of isolation, aligning with research on migration-related mental health disparities. This research contributes to the limited literature on the experiences of Iranian immigrants in the U.S. and has implications for minoritized population health and policy reforms aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of immigration-related stress.
移民在美国人口中占相当大的比例，是一个重要的少数群体，其健康受到该国移民政策这一健康社会决定因素的影响。这项定性研究采用现象学方法，在考虑健康社会决定因素框架的背景下，记录和探索受过高等教育的伊朗移民和国际学生在美国移民政策背景下的生活经历。对23名参与者进行了深入的半结构化访谈。对数据的反思性主题分析揭示了四个主要主题：（1）伊朗人的入境和再入境签证限制；（2）美国旅行禁令的情感和社会影响；（3）家庭分离和情绪困扰；（4）移民不确定性对心理健康的影响。研究结果突出了这一群体面临的重大挑战，包括大家庭分离、职业不确定性和心理困扰。参与者报告称焦虑加剧、失眠和孤独感增强，这与关于移民相关心理健康差距的研究一致。这项研究为关于伊朗移民在美国经历的有限文献做出了贡献，并对少数群体健康以及旨在减轻移民相关压力不利影响的政策改革具有启示意义。
