Voices from the Frontlines: The Challenges and Rewards of Immigration Activism

This consensual qualitative research study explored immigration activists’ perspectives on the rewards and challenges of their work, how they cope with challenges, and their recommendations for how psychologists could best support them. Fifteen self-identified immigration activists completed one-hou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Counseling psychologist 2022-11, Vol.50 (8), p.1096-1125
Main Authors: Velez, Brandon L., Baranowski, Kimberly A., Manosalvas, Kiara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activism
Activists
Advocacy
Burnout
Catalysts
Challenges
Coping strategies
Cultural competence
Emotional distress
Immigrants
Immigration
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Psychological distress
Psychological research
Psychologists
Qualitative research
Rewards
Social identity
Social justice
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Summary:This consensual qualitative research study explored immigration activists’ perspectives on the rewards and challenges of their work, how they cope with challenges, and their recommendations for how psychologists could best support them. Fifteen self-identified immigration activists completed one-hour, semi-structured, individual interviews. Analysis yielded 25 categories associated with six domains (Catalysts for Activism; Vision for Activism; Rewards; Challenges; Coping Strategies; and Recommendations for Psychological Practice, Research, and Advocacy). Participants reported emotional distress and burnout, but this challenge co-occurred with rewards such as connecting with colleagues or increased skills and tools. Activists used a variety of coping strategies, including maintaining boundaries, and encouraged psychologists to provide them with psychoeducational training, to provide services that are relevant and accessible to immigrant communities, and to advocate for immigration issues. The findings are placed in context with prior research pertaining to social identity, social justice activism, and multicultural competence.
ISSN:0011-0000
1552-3861
DOI:10.1177/00110000221120204