Cultural Stress Theory: An Overview

Immigrants, and the children of immigrants, are exposed to unique stressors rooted in both (a) the need to balance their heritage culture with the destination culture and (b) the widespread framing of immigrants as real and/or existential threats to the destination society. Seeking to better conceptualize these unique cultural stressors, and to better understand the mechanisms and protective factors, several lines of research have converged, leading to the development of cultural stress theory (CST). This introduction provides an overview CST, starting with its theoretical roots, then proceeding to its key tenets. In addition, and serving as an overall framework for the articles included in this special issue, we outline key directions for future research on cultural stress, highlighting how the articles within this special issue serve to expand CST in important new ways and directions. Public Significance Statement Cultural stress theory has emerged in recent decades as a key framework for understanding the challenges experienced by immigrant families. This article clearly articulates the tenants of cultural stress theory and highlights how the articles within this special issue expand cultural stress theory in important ways and directions.