Emigration is a common phenomenon in the modern world. Many people change their place of residence, leaving their home country and settling in another, often very remote place.
Reasons for migration
The reasons for emigration can be divided into several categories. Here are the main ones:
- Economical
This reason is the most common. The population is moving in search of better jobs and higher wages. This improves the standard of living, especially if there are no prospects for professional development in the country of origin or there is high unemployment.
- Political
When there is an unstable situation in a country, there are armed conflicts or a war has broken out. This is also the case in the case of persecution on religious or political grounds and in a situation of restriction of civil liberties.
- Social and family
For example, family reunification in a situation where one of the spouses works abroad and the family no longer wants to endure separation. Environmental reasons may also include the desire to find a better education, as well as the desire to change the social environment and lifestyle.
- Environmental
These are mainly caused by climate change, such as natural disasters, earthquakes and droughts, as well as environmental pollution that makes it impossible to continue living in the current area.
- Religious
The desire to live in a country where a particular religion dominates.
The impact of emigration and migration on mental health
In a psychological context, migration is a process associated with a profound life change. It causes severe stress and a whole range of emotions – from joy and euphoria to sadness, anxiety and anxiety. People who change their country of residence face the challenge of finding their way in a new place, which often leads to culture shock. This can result in many mental health problems.
Nowadays, there is talk of the so-called disease or immigrant syndrome. It is a set of symptoms consisting of strong, chronic stress related to changing conditions and separation from loved ones, and a feeling of “being between two worlds”. This happens when a person stays in his home country with his heart and his body in a new environment.
This is where psychotherapy comes to the rescue, which has developed strongly in the field of therapy for people affected by migration. It helps to rebuild identity in the social and professional area, as well as teaches how to cope in everyday life.
Migration and family relationships
If the departure from the country concerns only one of the family members, the so-called spatial separation. Such a situation forces the roles to be reorganized. A parent who stays in the country must take over their responsibilities and those of their partner. This often leads to stress and fatigue. Children of an emigrating parent often take responsibility for their younger siblings.
Such migration has a significant impact on the quality of family relationships and may or may not be a source of crisis. The durability of this relationship depends on how integrated and close-knit the family was before leaving. If family ties were strong enough before separation, migration can maintain or even tighten them. Of course, a necessary condition here is constant contact with the family.
