PEOPLE OF COLOR
MENTAL HEALTH

The Bicultural Experience

Growing up bicultural can be challenging. Our parents/grandparents often teach us traditional beliefs of how we should act or behave as people. However, when we interact with society, we are regularly exposed to a completely different culture.

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If you struggled with integrating the bicultural experience, you are not alone. Intergenerational family conflict refers to different acculturation experiences (adjustment to U.S. culture) between generations (e.g., you and your parents). This often contributes to different values/beliefs and thus conflict. 

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In many immigrant families, there are many expectations for their children (e.g., gender role, body image, school, career, marriage), which can be stressful. Parental pressures can lead to feelings of isolation, not belonging, and not feeling good enough overall.

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Despite the mental health struggles people of color can face, the mental health stigma consistently present in many immigrant families can make it more difficult to not only voice daily struggles but also to seek help when needed. 

Dr. Elena Duong and Dr. Susanna La identify as women of color and psychologists motivated to support fellow people of color through your identity-related struggles. 

If you want help with processing your bicultural experience, please reach out to us!