As the population of adolescents from immigrant families in the United States continues to increase, these youths’ well-being matters. Bicultural stress, stemming from a need to navigate and balance the different expectations based on the dominant culture in which they live and their family's cultural heritage, can undermine adolescent mental health and well-being. Bicultural stress puts strain on youth as they develop their personal identity and plan for the transition to adulthood. This review summarizes the research examining the impact of bicultural stress on adolescent mental health and well-being. Immigration-related policies affect the relations between bicultural stress and youth well-being. Specific policy changes and community actions can reduce or eliminate the impact of bicultural stress on adolescent mental health and well-being, improving outcomes in youth from immigrant families.
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