The association between discrimination and health: findings on Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin populations in Finland

Rask, Shadia; Elo, Irma T.; Koskinen, Seppo; Lilja, Eero; Koponen, Päivikki; Castaneda, Anu E.

doi:10.1093/eurpub/cky100

Cited by 30 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Furthermore, we have indicated that comorbid affective symptoms are more common among substance using Kurds in particular . This study will expand previous knowledge on pre‐migration traumatic experiences, post‐migration perceived discrimination and substance use .…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…We found no previous comparable research concerning forced migrants in their new host countries. It is possible that previous results among general populations or internally displaced people may not be comparable to international migrants facing specific challenges in new host countries . Our study makes a relevant contribution to the existing literature demonstrating an association between a hazardous pattern of alcohol use and traumatic experiences among Kurds, a forced migrant population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…It includes 25 items on depressive and anxiety symptoms during the preceding week, rated on a scale from 1, ‘not at all bothered’ to 4, ‘extremely bothered’. Mean scores for the HSCL‐25 were calculated, and a cut‐off point of 1.75 was applied to create a dichotomized variable for clinically significant symptoms (no/yes), as previously used .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Confounding variables were added to the multivariate models stepwise in blocks. The variables were selected to the multivariate models based on association with substance use in cross‐tabulation ( P < 0.1), previous results and identified from literature . Logistic regression was used in all analyses and the sampling design was taken into account.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A growing body of literature demonstrates the harmful effects of discrimination on the mental health of migrant and general populations . Previous studies, mostly conducted among general populations in North America, have shown associations between perceived discrimination and alcohol use , smoking and illicit substance use .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pre‐migration traumatic experiences, post‐migration perceived discrimination and substance use among Russian and Kurdish migrants—a population‐based study

et al. 2020

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Background and aims The associations between traumatic events, substance use and perceived discrimination have been rarely studied among migrants in host countries. We examined whether pre-migration potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) or perceived discrimination (PD) are associated with substance use among migrants with voluntary (Russians) and forced (Kurds) migration backgrounds. Design Cross-sectional interview and health examination data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study were used. The target sample (n = 1000 for each group) was drawn from the national population register using stratified random sampling by participants' country of birth and native language.Setting Population-based data were collected from six cities in Finland during 2010-12. Participants The participation rates were 68% (Russians) and 59% (Kurds). The analytical sample size varied (Russians n = 442-687, Kurds n = 459-613), as some participants completed only interview, health examination or short interview. The majority of Kurds had a refugee background (75%) while Russians had mainly migrated for other reasons (99%).Measurements The three main outcomes were self-reported binge drinking, daily smoking and life-time cannabis use.PTEs and PD were self-reported in the interview. Socio-demographic background, migration-related factors and current affective symptoms were adjusted for. Findings Among Kurds, PTEs were associated with binge drinking [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30-5.42] and PD was associated with life-time cannabis use (aOR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.38-10.97) after adjusting for contextual factors. Among Russians, PTEs were associated with life-time cannabis use adjusting for contextual factors (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1. 12-4.18). Conclusions In Finland, pre-migration traumatic experiences appear to be associated with life-time cannabis use among the Russian migrant population (voluntary migration) and binge drinking among the Kurdish migrant population (forced migration). Perceived discrimination in Finland appears to be associated with life-time cannabis use among Kurdish migrants.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%