The Healthy Migrant Hypothesis: Do Immigrants Have Better Health Than U.S. Natives?

Data suggests that those who migrate successfully to America are less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and trauma, or bipolar-related disorders than U.S. natives.

Findings may seem counterintuitive, the article notes, as immigration is a known stressor. But according to the healthy migrant hypothesis, “the very reasons why immigration is so difficult are the same reasons why those who do immigrate successfully tend to be healthier and mentally tougher than average.”

In other words, these individuals may be naturally more resilient, and have uniquely hardy psychological subsets, explained the study’s author, Christopher P. Salas-Wright. These individuals may be better equipped to overcome logical or financial barriers, he explained, “[…] The process of migration is not random.” 

However, when such barriers to immigration are lifted, rates of mental illness go up.

The study did not distinguish between types of immigration (voluntary or involuntary). Dr. Salas-Wright did examine the mental health of different age ranges, and found that migrant children 12 and under were just as likely as American natives to experience a mental disorder.

One reason for that may be acculturation. “Acculturation theory explains that immigrants who become more immersed in their adoptive culture—more acculturated—experience worse health outcomes than those who are less acculturated,” the article explains.

Because children are still developing, they are more likely to take on the same behaviors that make U.S. natives more mentally ill, and are also more likely to be affected by discrimination.

Despite the fact that there are comparable rates of mental illness in migrant children as there are in natives, the study’s overall results support the healthy migrant hypothesis.