Relocation is bound to result in sophisticated psychological dynamics, namely acculturative stress and culture shock. Acculturative stress refers to the mental load that people experience when they adjust to new environments (Kosic et al., 2025). Perceived discrimination, social rejection, and cultural differences might lead to acculturative stress, which affects mental well-being (Smith & Khawaja, 2011). Personal characteristics, such as openness, affect levels of stress during this process compared to those who are unstable(Kosic et al., 2025).
Good coping is required for adjustment, i.e., formulating social networks, reconfiguring culture, and forming hybrid identities that incorporate both cultures (Watanabe et al., 2025, pp. 1-5). Culture shock starts with confusion and anxiety, moving through stages from honeymoon beginnings to frustration before acceptance (Lam, 2017, pp. 21-25). Symptoms are homesickness, social withdrawal, and study difficulty (Smith & Khawaja, 2011). Interventions like the establishment of supportive networks of peers and participation in local activities can promote well-being and resilience.
Emotional Dilemmas Associated with Relocation
Relocation is typically accompanied by an assortment of emotional dilemmas, and homesickness is a significant one that goes beyond simple nostalgia and falls into deep confusion. This syndrome can lead to prolonged emotional distress, especially in individuals who are having difficulty finding their place in new environments. Homesickness has been termed “nostalgic disorientation” by (Kosic et al., 2025), where the disruption of one’s usual psychosocial environment disturbs their sense of direction and identity.
In managing the rollercoaster experience of homesickness, people can utilise a myriad of strategies, including the use of technology to communicate with loved ones, engagement with known practices from one’s culture, and access to social support from society.
Empathy is a critical determining factor since most migrants reside in loneliness, which affects mental well-being. Evidence in (Smith & Khawaja, 2011) observes a clear connection between loneliness and lowered self-esteem and hence makes the adjustment process more complicated.
Additionally, loss of acquaintance with the familiar homeland is another significant factor in this emotional terrain. People will tend to experience a loss of something behind—habitual routines and community relationships among them. It should be pointed out that these emotional reactions are natural and have to be addressed to generate efficient adaptation processes during this phase of transition. The psychological consequences of loneliness and loss can severely compromise overall health if not adequately dealt with.
Identity Negotiation in a New Cultural Environment
Resettlement typically requires a serious reconsideration of one’s identity, particularly when resettling into a novel cultural environment. Identity negotiation has been strongly influenced by attachment theory, which suggests that the attachments that have been made over the years largely influence one’s sense of self and the creation of identity. Those who form secure emotional attachments are in a better position to navigate the multicultural landscape of cultural change. And, as they do so, most will find that they are living a double life, where aspects of their home culture coexist peacefully with those of the new place. This balancing act of the bicultural self allows them to connect values and norms in both worlds.
It has been discovered in research that members of bicultural groups tend to adapt their behaviours and worldview based on environmental cues; they can switch between cultural frames with ease based on social context (as cited in Watanabe et al., 2025, pp.11-15). The ability to combine aspects of both cultures into one’s own work promotes individual development; however, this can potentially create a feeling if one is divorced from either aspect of his or her own cultural background. The dynamic and multidimensional quality of such identities gives primacy to continuous travelling, whereby the individual continuously re-establishes his/her sense of belonging through experience and socialisation in the new setting (Watanabe et al., 2025, pp. 36-40). Successful identity navigation during relocation is closely linked to an individual’s adaptability and emotional resilience.
Resilience and Adaptive Processes During Relocation
Relocating is typically accomplished over a highly complex emotional backdrop, but the development of resilience in doing so can significantly advance an individual’s ability to acclimate. Social integration during the process of building resilience will often prolong the process, helping newcomers with a sense of belonging and community. By connecting with peers who share their situation, individuals find it easier to construct emotional support that de-mystifies the feeling of loneliness. International students’ research indicates that strong social networks have positive effects on psychological health and academic performance, preparing individuals to manage the pressures that accompany relocation (as cited in Smith & Khawaja, 2011).
Community relations’ significance to this adjustment process cannot be overemphasised. New immigrants who actively participate in local or ethnic groups tend to feel more connected to their new environment. In addition to learning about local practices and traditions, active participation allows for the establishment of long-lasting friendships that enhance their network of support. Besides this, referral by experienced local members helps ease transitions by providing recommendations and helpful information (as noted in Smith & Khawaja, 2011).
Generally, resilience in the relocation process thrives in such social ties and interchanges so that individuals can turn negative experiences into foundations for personal growth and successful adaptation in novel settings.
Read More: Building Resilience After Adverse Childhood Experiences: Psychological Interventions & Healing
Cross-Cultural Conceptions of Relocation Experience
The process of relocation bears strong relationships with culture that influence highly emotional responses and adjustment behaviours. Research demonstrates that acculturation is inherently part of the psychological well-being of those undergoing this process. For instance, the process of acculturation—assimilation, separation, integration, or marginalisation—governs how people adapt to the new culture to a great extent (as described in Tekel et al., 2025). Research has shown that individuals who preserve their home culture together with the adopted country’s culture have lower acculturative stress and higher psychological adaptation.
International students are likely to exhibit such complex dynamics. A single systematic review has shown that successful cultural adaptation has been related to increased career agency and better academic performance (as per Smith & Khawaja, 2011). Secondly, the ABC model places special emphasis on the role of emotional reactions and social consciousness in coping with stress during cultural change (as discussed in Gopalakrishnan, 2024, pp. 6-10). The W-Curve model illustrates a cyclical trend in phases of adjustment where beginners start with elation, struggle second, and finally reach acceptance among their new social group.
Cultural authenticity in resettlement communities is also vital for fostering social bonds that support emotional well-being. Resettlement communities that respect and celebrate various cultures enable relocated people to feel more comfortable, thus enabling healthier acculturation processes (see Lan et al., 2025 for more details).
Implications for Counselling and Mental Health Interventions
It demands counselling interventions attuned to the needs of the individual in overcoming the emotional struggles of moving. Isolation and homesickness have a direct influence on mental well-being, so counsellors must establish effective working relationships with clients and use culturally specific interventions. The inclusion of peer support systems may help improve feelings of belonging and minimise experiences of isolation.
Counselling interventions must employ cognitive-behavioural interventions to rephrase negative assumptions and enhance resilience, supplemented by (Costlow & Parmelee, 2019). Identity negotiation strategies outlined under Section 4 assist clients in introspecting their changing self-identity within a foreign culture.
Long-term adjustment variables are essential for cross-border migrants. Cultural bereavement is a term that is essential to be knowledgeable of as a mental health practitioner (BHUGRA & BECKER, 2005), and ongoing care post-relocation must be made available to recognise novel emergent mental health issues (Costlow & Parmelee, 2019). Counsellors should promote community resources that support social integration and emotional adjustment, fostering both short-term adaptation and long-term growth.
Read More: Why Is Peer Support Important In Recovery?
FAQs
Q. What are the main psychological processes involved in relocation?
The main processes are acculturative stress and culture shock. Acculturative stress is the mental strain of adapting to a new culture, while culture shock involves emotional stages from frustration to eventual acceptance.
Q. How can individuals cope with homesickness during relocation?
People cope by staying connected with loved ones through technology, practising familiar cultural traditions, and seeking social support. This helps mitigate feelings of loneliness and promotes well-being.
Q. How does relocation affect a person’s identity?
Relocation forces individuals to negotiate their identity. Many people develop a bicultural identity, balancing their home and new cultures, which demands ongoing adaptation and resilience.
Q. How does social integration help with resilience during relocation?
Social integration is crucial for building resilience. Connecting with local or ethnic groups helps individuals build belonging and community, reducing loneliness and enhancing well-being.
Q. What are the different types of acculturation, and how do they impact well-being?
Acculturation can be assimilation, separation, integration, or marginalisation. Research shows that people who integrate—maintaining their home culture while adopting the new one—experience less stress and better psychological adaptation.
References +
Lai Yan Vivyan Lam. (2017). Life as an International Student in the United States: Acculturation, Culture Shock, and Identity Transformation. https://repository.usfca.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1337&context=thes
Ankica Kosic, Adrian J Archuleta, Wei Wang. (2025). Individual Factors in Acculturation: An Overview of Key Dimensions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12189106/
Rachel A. Smith, Nigar Khawaja. (2011). A review of the acculturation experiences of international students. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238500442_A_review_of_the_acculturation_experiences_of_international_students
Takahiro Watanabe, Hanae Kramer, Rachel Neo, Ji Young Kim. (2025). JAPANESE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES: THEIR IDENTITY SHIFT AND ACCULTURATION STYLES. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/4abb7187-8123-4c48-ac17-6e2dcb6ca732/content
Esra Tekel, Hatice Ergin-Kocaturk, Ahmet Su, Metin Kocaturk, Engin Karadag. (2025). Impact of culture shock, acculturation approaches, and sociocultural adaptation on perceived proficiency in Turkish and English among international students in Turkey. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825003129
Rithika Gopalakrishnan. (2024). Navigating Cultural Transitions: A Drama Therapy Exploration of Culture Shock Among International Students from South Asia and East Asia. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1859&context=expressive_theses
Ruiming Lan, Zifeng Shen, Yingying Zhang. (2025). The relationship between ethnic cultural authenticity in resettlement communities and cultural socialisation: a multilevel mediation model based on cultural attachment theory. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-05596-z
DINESH BHUGRA, MATTHEW A BECKER. (2005). Migration, cultural bereavement and cultural identity. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1414713/
Kyrsten Costlow, Patricia A Parmelee. (2019). The impact of relocation stress on cognitively impaired and cognitively unimpaired long-term care residents. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7048638/
