Knowledge Bank

Black immigrant women are especially susceptible to poor psychological outcomes and yet female immigrants of sub-Saharan African (SSA) descent remain a highly understudied population. Cumulative migration stressors, poverty, and socio-cultural factors contribute to high mental health risks in this sub-population. While the literature is mixed, birth-order has been correlated with mental health risk factors, with firstborns reporting higher emotional disorders and lower education achievement. This phenomenological study examines how birth-order and transnational experiences inform the psychological well-being of women from SSA. Convenience sampling was used to recruit college-age women (N=11) who were the eldest daughters of their families. Participants were invited to schedule two interviews at least 1-month apart. Two cycles of analysis were followed (cycle 1: descriptive, in vivo, and process coding; cycle 2: axial coding). Methodological rigor was optimized through reflexivity, journaling, peer check-in, and team coding. Atlas.TI was used to analyze the data. All participants self-identified as cis-gender females, age range 18-24, and were first or second-generation immigrants. The average household had 3 siblings with most respondents identifying as 'first-daughter' and two as eldest daughter still living in the household. Participants contextualized their narratives around family and college experiences and described their changing identities at the intersection of multiple cultures. Three themes emerged: Locus of Control, Identity, and Transnationalism. These women were hopeful about their future, and credited parenting strategies (they sometimes viewed as problematic) and social interactions as large contributors to their drive and academic motivations. They often feel overwhelmed with the expectations and responsibilities they are expected to fulfill both outside and inside of the home. These findings point to the need for further research to facilitate inclusive spaces in higher education and mental health settings for young sub-Saharan African women living in these transnational spaces.