Perception of discrimination in employment and health in refugees and immigrants.

Abstract

Unemployment is associated with poor health among refugees and immigrants; however, the degree to which discrimination in employment contributes to poor health remains unclear because of methodological limitations. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate factors associated with perceived discrimination, ethnicity and migration status, and their implication on health (self-rated health & depression). Perceived discrimination was investigated in 273 Iraqi skilled-workers, refugees and immigrants, who are members of a professional scientific organization. It was hypothesized that unemployment, ethnicity (Arab), and migration status (refugee) would be associated with perceived discrimination. Additionally, it was hypothesized that participants who endorse discrimination are more likely to report poor health. Results reveal that more individuals who were unemployed (46.4%), reported perceived discrimination (X2(1, N=273) =6.63, p<.05), however, when linear regression modeling was applied, age [OR=1.36], gender [OR=2.13], and ethnicity [OR=2.15], not migration status became significant predictors of discrimination. With respect to health, age [OR=2.25], length of residency [OR.93], language skills [OR=3.00], and perception of discrimination [OR=2.12] were predictors of SRH, while ethnicity [OR=3.93], age [OR=1.39], and discrimination [OR=3.26] were significant predictors of depression. Notably, perceived discrimination was a predictor in both health variables. In conclusion, there appears to be a link between discrimination and health in a homogenous refugee and immigrant sample.

A liminal lens on integrating refugees into the workplace: Conceptualising a theoretical model

“…Refugees are an extreme case in terms of international adjustments as the process of fitting into their new environment is perturbed by migratory and vocational stress, and significant reconstruction of identities, which means that the prospect of their integration into the workplace is far less likely to be successful than other migrants (Aycan, 1997). Evidence indicates that, in addition to being forced to migrate, the lack of employment or underemployment represents the highest migratory stressor among all refugee groups, with detrimental consequences to their physical and mental health (Dhalimi, Wright, Yamin, Jamil, & Arnetz, 2018). In order to be productive employees, refugees need to shed their 'refugee identity' that is usually associated with the stigma of being a victim (Alfadhli & Drury, 2018) and rebuild an identity that enhances their dignity (Zeno, 2017).…”

Public health crisis in the refugee community: little change in social determinants of health preserve health disparities

“…The majority of refugees remain in low-wage jobs without health insurance, with limited English proficiency, lacking the social mobility necessary to escape the cycle of poverty in the community. The intersection between individuals at high risk and poor community-level SDOH resources reinforces the challenges refugees face in improving their health and well-being [ 4 , 6 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Noncommunicable Disease and Health Care-Seeking Behavior Among Urban Camp-Dwelling Syrian Refugees in Lebanon: A Preliminary Investigation

“…These reports signal a potentially more widespread pattern of discrimination that should be explored. Perceived health care discrimination against refugees has been previously documented, 29,30 but most of these studies were conducted in countries with broader differences (e.g., language/culture) between host and refugee communities. Our finding is noteworthy given the shared culture and language in the region.…”