Human beings are desirous of many things – both material and emotional. We like to live comfortably and we need emotional relationships with others to fulfill our desires for intimacy and emotional support. Human beings have aspirations – not only for ourselves but for others too. It has been demonstrated that a discrepancy between aspiration and achievement leads to a sense of frustration and affects self-image – resulting in low self-esteem and probable depression too.

The discrepancy between achievement and aspiration may well apply more in cases of migrants who may feel that they are being stopped from achieving their full potential. Studies from various parts of the world have shown that the rates of mental illnesses are greater in migrants when compared with local populations. This also illustrates the possibility that reasons for migration are important and it is very likely that those who migrate for economic or educational betterment have a much higher predisposition to developing psychiatric disorders. Anti-immigration policies and a sense of not being welcome in the new country can contribute further to a sense of alienation. The other interesting observation is that the second generation of migrants show higher rates of psychiatric disorders suggesting that social factors and discrimination may well be at play. This shows how dreams of achievement and desires do affect individual functioning.