Translational Issues in Psychological Science, Vol 12(2), Jun 2026, 159-175; doi:10.1037/tps0000500
Following the withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces from Afghanistan in 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans fled their home country. This study employed a narrative approach to foreground the experiences of seven Afghan refugee immigrants and to explore how they manage stress and adjust their life goals in response to migration and resettlement challenges. Our study finds that, in terms of goal adjustment, emerging adults and established adults demonstrate distinct patterns: emerging adults tend to maintain original education-related goals despite migration disruptions, whereas established adults often disengage from previous goals and reengage with collective and family-oriented goals. Consequently, stress and coping strategies also vary by life stages: emerging adults report fewer signs of psychological distress and greater flexibility in goal pursuit, whereas established adults experience heightened stress related to financial burdens and family/extended family separation. Therefore, from a developmental perspective, our findings highlight the importance of not viewing refugee immigrants as a homogeneous group, but rather recognizing the need for culturally sensitive and developmentally responsive support. Based on these findings, we recommend that community refugee services, counseling providers, and policymakers tailor their programs to be developmentally stage-specific and culturally grounded. Whereas support for emerging adults should prioritize education and career pathways, services for established adults should address family responsibilities, mental health, and employment support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)