Immigrant couple facing employment challenges, representing the impact of employment on health and well-being.

Stressed After Moving? How Employment Impacts Your Health as an Immigrant

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how post-migration employment changes affect the health and well-being of immigrant couples, and what you can do to thrive in your new life."

Moving to a new country is a major life event, filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Among the many challenges immigrants face, finding suitable employment often tops the list. While securing a job is a significant step, the type of work and how it aligns with one's skills and education can have profound effects on overall health and well-being.

Research consistently demonstrates that employment and work environments are critical determinants of mental and physical health. For immigrants, this connection is even more complex. The stress of adapting to a new culture, coupled with potential discrepancies between pre-migration qualifications and post-migration employment opportunities, can create unique health challenges.

A recent study delves into these complexities, examining how employment changes after immigrating to a new country impact the health of both individuals and their spouses. By understanding these dynamics, immigrants can take proactive steps to navigate their careers and safeguard their health in their new homes.

The Impact of Employment on Health: What the Research Shows

Immigrant couple facing employment challenges, representing the impact of employment on health and well-being.

Studies have long established a link between unemployment, job loss, and negative health outcomes. These effects are amplified for immigrants, who may face additional barriers such as language difficulties, discrimination, and the non-recognition of foreign credentials. This can lead to what's known as 'downward employment,' where individuals are forced to take jobs that don't match their skills or experience.

This new study, using data from the New Immigrant Survey (NIS), examined the experiences of over 2,800 spousal pairs. The researchers looked at how changes in employment status after immigration affected self-rated health and depressive symptoms, taking into account the interconnectedness of spousal relationships.

Men's Health: Downward employment trajectories were linked to poorer health outcomes. Men who experienced a decline in job status reported lower self-rated health and more depressive symptoms.
Women's Health: The impact on women was more nuanced. While their own employment trajectories didn't show the same direct link to health, the employment status of their husbands played a significant role. Women whose husbands experienced downward mobility also reported poorer health.
Unemployment's Unique Impact: Women's unemployment, in particular, was associated with poorer health outcomes for both themselves and their husbands. This suggests that when women are unable to find work, it creates stress and financial strain within the household, affecting everyone's well-being.

These findings underscore the importance of considering employment changes within the context of family relationships. The study highlights that employment isn't just an individual issue; it's a 'household event' that can ripple through the entire family, impacting the well-being of everyone involved.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Health During Employment Transitions

The research paints a clear picture: employment changes after immigration significantly impact your health and family well-being. But understanding these risks empowers you to take proactive steps. By focusing on career development, seeking support, and prioritizing your overall well-being, you can navigate employment transitions successfully and build a healthier, happier life in your new country.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.002, Alternate LINK

Title: Post-Migration Employment Changes And Health: A Dyadic Spousal Analysis

Subject: History and Philosophy of Science

Journal: Social Science & Medicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Annie Ro, Rachel E. Goldberg

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does employment affect the health of immigrants after they move to a new country?

Employment significantly impacts the health of immigrants. The research shows that the type of work and how it aligns with one's skills and education can have profound effects on overall health and well-being. The study highlights a link between unemployment, job loss, and negative health outcomes, amplified for immigrants who may face additional barriers such as language difficulties, discrimination, and the non-recognition of foreign credentials, which can lead to downward employment.

What is 'downward employment' and how does it affect immigrants?

'Downward employment' occurs when immigrants are forced to take jobs that don't match their skills or experience. This can happen due to various barriers, including language difficulties, discrimination, and the non-recognition of foreign credentials. The study found that downward employment trajectories were linked to poorer health outcomes, with men reporting lower self-rated health and more depressive symptoms.

How does a spouse's employment status affect the health of an immigrant couple?

The study highlights that employment isn't just an individual issue; it's a 'household event.' The employment status of a spouse significantly impacts the health of the other. For instance, women whose husbands experienced downward mobility also reported poorer health. Also, women's unemployment, in particular, was associated with poorer health outcomes for both themselves and their husbands, suggesting that stress and financial strain within the household affect everyone's well-being.

What specific health challenges did men and women experience in the study?

The study examined the experiences of over 2,800 spousal pairs and revealed distinct impacts. For men, downward employment trajectories were linked to poorer health outcomes, including lower self-rated health and more depressive symptoms. For women, the impact was more nuanced; their own employment trajectories didn't directly link to health as much as their husbands' did. The study found that when husbands experienced downward mobility, women reported poorer health. In addition, women's unemployment was associated with poorer health outcomes for both themselves and their husbands.

What practical steps can immigrants take to protect their health during employment transitions?

To navigate employment transitions successfully, immigrants can take proactive steps. The research underscores the importance of career development, seeking support, and prioritizing overall well-being. Understanding the potential risks allows immigrants to focus on these areas, build a healthier life, and adapt to the challenges of finding suitable employment that aligns with their skills and experience in their new home.