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The Impact of Migration on Mental Health: A Look at Brazilians in Ireland
The Impact of Migration on Mental Health: A Look at Brazilians in Ireland
9 March 2025, Tati Quaglio
em português:
O Impacto da Migração na Saúde Mental: Um Olhar para Brasileiros na Irlanda
This is a summary of my undergraduate research study in psychology where I examined the mental health of Brazilian migrants in Ireland, focusing on the interplay of acculturative stress, social support, coping mechanisms, loneliness, and life satisfaction. The results showed that longer time spent in Ireland was associated with decreased acculturative stress and increased life satisfaction. Additionally, coping self-efficacy, perceived social support, and time spent in Ireland were factors related to higher life satisfaction, while acculturative stress and loneliness was an important factor for lower coping self-efficacy. These findings underscore the crucial role of social support, coping skills, and addressing loneliness and acculturative stress in promoting the well-being of Brazilian migrants in Ireland.
In the 1990s, Ireland's rapid economic expansion, known as the "Celtic Tiger," attracted a significant wave of migrants seeking employment opportunities, including a notable number of Brazilians. This influx continued into the early 2000s, with many drawn to Ireland for English language courses and university programs, eventually making Brazilians the second-largest international student population in the country. Despite their growing presence in over 20 years, and the social and cultural adjustments inherent in migration, research on the mental health experiences of migrants in Ireland is still limited, particularly focusing on specific ethnic groups like Brazilians. Existing literature often focuses on broader European contexts, neglecting the unique challenges faced by migrants in Ireland.
Migration is a multifaceted process that can profoundly influence an individual's mental health and overall well-being. While it can offer opportunities for personal growth and an improved quality of life, it also presents significant challenges. Migrants' mental health is shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including acculturative stress (the psychological strain of adapting to a new culture), social support systems, coping mechanisms, and individual resilience. The difficulties of adapting to a new culture, coupled with the potential loss of familiar social support networks, can elevate the risk of mental health problems among migrants. Studies have indicated that migrants may face a higher risk of developing various mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Acculturative Stress
Acculturative stress is the psychological strain individuals experience as they adapt to a new culture. Acculturation, the underlying process, is complex and involves changes in an individual's values, behaviors, and identity as they navigate contact between different cultures. This stress can significantly impact mental well-being, manifesting in various ways, including psychological distress, physical symptoms, and social difficulties.
Several factors can contribute to acculturative stress. These include language barriers, experiences of discrimination, social isolation, and the loss of established social support networks. The degree of difference between an individual's heritage culture and the host culture can also play a significant role. For example, Brazilians, who often come from a collectivist culture, may experience greater acculturative stress when adapting to Ireland, which is considered a relatively individualistic culture.
Social Support and Integration
Social support and integration into the host society are crucial factors in mitigating the negative effects of acculturative stress and promoting mental well-being among migrants. Social support can provide individuals with a sense of belonging, emotional support, and practical assistance, all of which are essential for coping with the challenges of adapting to a new culture. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018) recommends specific strategies for migrants to integrate into the host society, including developing social connections, participating in community activities, and adopting aspects of the new culture. However, it is important to note that previous research has often overlooked the role of cultural factors in shaping social networks and support systems. These factors significantly influence how migrants integrate and receive support within a new society. Integration into the host society involves developing social connections, participating in community activities, and adopting aspects of the new culture.
Coping Self-Efficacy and Loneliness
Coping self-efficacy, defined as an individual's belief in their ability to cope with life's challenges, is crucial for navigating the stressors associated with migration and promoting mental well-being. However, loneliness can negatively impact coping self-efficacy, hindering the development and utilization of effective coping skills.
A complex interplay of factors, including acculturative stress, social support, coping mechanisms, and loneliness, influences the mental health of migrants. These factors interact and influence each other, shaping the overall well-being of individuals adapting to a new culture.
The Study
The Study
Participants in this study of Brazilian migrants in Ireland were required to meet the following criteria: (1) have been a student within the previous five years, (2) be at least 18 years old, and (3) demonstrate the ability to comprehend the survey questions. Recognizing the challenges of accessing a geographically dispersed and potentially hidden population, a non-probability sampling approach was chosen, utilizing both convenience and snowball sampling techniques.
This study aimed to investigate the associations between coping self-efficacy, social support, loneliness, acculturative stress, and life satisfaction among the Brazilian migrants, as well as to examine differences within this sample. As an academic research it also went through approval of the Research Ethics Committee of Dublin Business School, which was as well in accordance with the ethical guidelines of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). Anonymity os participants was granted by using online survey tools where no personal details or IP address was collected from the respondents.
How it was done?
The online survey was a questionnaire with 109 questions divided in eight sections. These included sections on research information, contact details for the researcher and supervisor, debriefing on potential risks, anonymity, confidentiality, voluntary participation, the right to withdraw, and emergency support services. The remaining five sections consisted of psychometric scales designed to measure: overall life satisfaction, acculturative stress, coping self-efficacy, social support, self-perceived loneliness and social isolation (measured by the UCLA Loneliness Scale [ULS-10]), and perceived social support from significant others, family, and friends (measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support [MSPSS]).
Participants were recruited through social media platforms, posters with QR codes, and English language schools attended by Brazilian students. The online survey was accessible from December 2022 to February 2023, and data were compiled and analyzed between February and April 2023.
Results
Results
The study sample consisted of 96 participants, predominantly female (75%) with a smaller proportion of males (25%), and their ages ranged from 19 to 59 years. Participants were divided into three groups based on their length of residence in Ireland: up to two years (23%), between three to five years (35%), and more than five years (41%). The majority of participants had migrated alone (54%), followed by those who migrated with an intimate partner or an intimate partner and their children (35%). A small minority had migrated with siblings (5%) or a close friend or other (5%), and no participants migrated solely with children.
Most participants reported having connections with a Brazilian community in Ireland, although the size and intensity of these connections varied. Among those with connections, the most common group size was 6 to 10 people (37%), followed by more than 20 people (24%), less than 5 people (22%), and 11 to 20 people (17%), with a small fraction reporting no connections (1%). Most participants (73%) planned to continue living in Ireland indefinitely, indicating an intention to settle in the country. Smaller proportions planned to stay for up to 2 years (15%), up to 5 years (9%), or less than 1 year (3%).
Participants reported moderate to high levels of satisfaction with life, moderate levels of acculturative stress, and moderate to high levels of coping self-efficacy. Loneliness levels were moderate, while perceived social support was high.
In terms of the study's findings:
Brazilian migrants who had lived in Ireland for more than five years reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction.
There were no significant differences in loneliness or coping self-efficacy between those who migrated alone and those who migrated with a companion.
Coping self-efficacy, perceived social support, and time in Ireland were all significantly positively correlated with life satisfaction among Brazilian migrants.
Loneliness was a significant predictor of coping self-efficacy, suggesting that it can hinder the development and utilization of coping skills.
Coping self-efficacy positively predicted life satisfaction, while acculturative stress negatively predicted life satisfaction. Perceived social support and loneliness did not demonstrate a significant direct effect on life satisfaction.
Reflections and Conclusion
Reflections and Conclusion
This study explored how coping self-efficacy, social support, and loneliness predict and influence acculturative stress and life satisfaction among Brazilians in Ireland. Brazilians who have lived in Ireland for over five years report better adjustment, integration, and self-confidence, leading to lower acculturative stress and higher life satisfaction.
Individuals who migrated alone showed no significant differences in loneliness or coping self-efficacy compared to those who migrated with others. This suggests that individual differences, resilience, and the ability to form social connections may be more influential in determining loneliness and coping self-efficacy.
Brazilian migrants who have stronger beliefs in their ability to cope, feel more socially supported, and have lived in Ireland longer report higher life satisfaction. Loneliness negatively affected individuals’ perceptions of their ability to cope with challenges and stressors, highlighting the importance of addressing loneliness in this population. Coping self-efficacy and social support positively predicted life satisfaction, while acculturative stress and loneliness negatively predicted it. However, social support and loneliness were not significant predictors in this study.
This analysis of Brazilian migrants in Ireland provides valuable insights into the adaptation process and can inform the development of targeted psychosocial interventions. Migration is a complex process with significant impacts on mental health and well-being. These impacts are influenced by factors including acculturative stress, social support, coping mechanisms, and loneliness. Understanding these factors and their interactions can help researchers, practitioners, and policymakers develop strategies to enhance migrants' quality of life and facilitate their integration into the host society.
The findings have important implications for policy and practice concerning migrant mental health. They indicate a need for targeted interventions and support services addressing the unique challenges migrants face, such as resources for cultural adjustment, language acquisition, social integration, and coping skills development.
The study's findings suggest that addressing loneliness should be a priority in mental health interventions for Brazilian migrants. Practitioners should consider offering individual and group counseling, support groups, and social skills training to help migrants overcome isolation and develop effective coping strategies.
This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on migrant mental health in Ireland by examining the predictive and influential roles of coping self-efficacy, social support, and loneliness on acculturative stress and life satisfaction among Brazilian migrants. Future research could explore the specific coping strategies used by Brazilian migrants in Ireland, the role of cultural factors in shaping acculturation and mental health, the relationship between social support and coping self-efficacy, and the impact of discrimination on mental health among migrants in Ireland.
Personal Statement
As a Brazilian migrant myself, having called Ireland home for over nine years, this research project holds a deeply personal significance. I have navigated the complexities of cultural adaptation and acculturation firsthand, experiencing many of the challenges my research explores. This personal connection fueled my passion to delve into the experiences of fellow Brazilians in Ireland, understanding how factors like coping self-efficacy, social support, and loneliness impact their acculturative stress and overall life satisfaction.
I'm immensely grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the understanding of migrant experiences. I hope my research sheds light on the resilience and challenges faced by the Brazilian community here and provides valuable insights for future studies. A huge thank you to my supervisors, professors, and everyone who supported me throughout this process.
Find below more about me and direct links to this paper publication in full, and a conference presentation of the same.
Thank you for reading. Feel free to contact me if you have any comments or further questions.
My best wishes,
Tati Quaglio
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Tati Quaglio | Meet the Author
Tati Quaglio | Meet the Author
Hi. I'm Tati Quaglio, I'm a Mental Health Speaker & Advocate for Migrants, a Intercultural Adaptation Consultant & a Trainee Counsellor Psychotherapist.
I'm dedicated to fostering diversity, equality, and inclusivity in mental health care. My journey into this field began with a career transition from business administration to psychotherapy and counselling, where I pursued an undergraduate Higher Diploma in Psychology to prepare for work in mental health to provide people with the support they deserve.
In my work, I strive to empower individuals to embark on their own self-discovery journeys, just as I have done and continue doing myself, and to support them in finding fulfillment and growth. If you're seeking a compassionate therapist who values your individuality and strives for your well-being, I'm here to help.
Read the research paper in full at:
Read the research paper in full at:
Watch the conference presentation
Watch the conference presentation
of this research at the Practical Applied Research Conference (PARC) at Dublin Business School (DBS) on
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