Abstract
In this chapter, we outline the contours of a community psychology of immigration. It involves appreciation of the broad context of immigration and resettlement in different countries, as well as the diversity among immigrants. Our analysis stresses the importance of understanding the context of receiving countries as well as the immigrant communities within them. National policies profoundly shape how immigrants are received, and how their diverse identities are understood and incorporated into the new society. A community psychology lens can provide a rich description of the immigrant experience with an appreciation of the pressures and opportunities in the resettlement context, without focusing solely on individual characteristics of immigrants that are often perceived as deficits. Community psychologists’ appreciation of context requires that we continue to develop methods to study diverse contexts at the national, community/neighborhood, and microsystem levels. Most important, a community psychology lens brings a social justice perspective to research and intervention, and aims to develop a range of ways to intervene. Community psychologists have broadened the impact of more traditional clinical mental health services by integrating them within community-based comprehensive services models. They also engage in community development to improve community well being, and push the boundaries of traditional research approaches by giving voice and power to immigrants in the research process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)