IMPACTS OF IMMIGRATION ON MENTAL HEALTH OF UNIVERSITY IMMIGRANTS. INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Within a global context marked by the intensification of international academic mobility, university immigration has become established as a relevant strategy for education and professional training, while simultaneously exposing students to a range of challenges that may negatively affect their mental health. This study aimed to analyze Brazilian and Latin American scientific production concerning the impacts of immigration on the mental health of university immigrant students, with particular emphasis on the risk and protective factors associated with this experience. This study consists of an integrative literature review conducted using the CAPES Journals Portal and the Virtual Health Library, encompassing publications from 2018 to 2024. Empirical studies based on primary data and addressing the topic under investigation were included. The findings indicate that the migratory experience is associated with multiple manifestations of psychological distress, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, loneliness, difficulties in academic adjustment, and suicidal ideation, which are strongly linked to structural, institutional, and sociocultural factors, such as language barriers, experiences of discrimination, socioeconomic vulnerability, and gender inequalities. Conversely, protective factors were identified, particularly those related to the presence of social support networks, institutional support and welcoming practices, recognition of cultural identity, and strategies aimed at academic and social integration. It is concluded that the impacts of immigration on the mental health of university students extend beyond the individual level, requiring coordinated actions among higher education institutions, public policies, and mental health care networks, as well as the expansion of research on this topic within the Latin American context.