The ethnic gap in mental health: A population-based study of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland

Rask, Shadia; Suvisaari, Jaana; Koskinen, Seppo; Koponen, Päivikki; Mölsä, Mulki; Lehtisalo, Riikka; Schubert, Carla C.; Pakaslahti, Antti; Castaneda, Anu E.

doi:10.1177/1403494815619256

Cited by 47 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…Their lives have changed dramatically as they escaped from communities they have stayed all their lives and provided for themselves to where they had to rely on others. This finding is consistent with studies by Ager and Strand (2008), Hirani et al, (2015), Rask et al, (2016) and Wright et al, (2016) who reported that the change in environment of refugees, coupled with struggle for survival and adaptation, is one major source of stress. For instance, as reported by Reinelt et al, (2016) and Schick et al, (2016), such a turn-around is worse in the event where there is differences in culture between refugees and their new communities.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…For example, Holmes et al, (2017) Joyce and Liamputtong (2017), stated that the western culture of individualism and independence makes it hard for refugees who find themselves in such environment to resettle and integrate with members of the community effectively. In some cases, they are seen as burden on public purse and competitors for limited economic opportunities and subjected to discrimination (Akua-Sakyiwa, 2017;Holmes et al, 2017;Rask et al, 2016). Their inability to socialise and see themselves as equal stakeholders in the society make it hard for them to overcome their losses and begin afresh.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many refugees go through three transition phases in which each of them have impact on their psychosocial well-being. Different challenges are encountered during the war, in flight and arrival at new communities (Guajardo, Slwea-Youran, Santalucia & Jorm, 2016;Hirani, Payne, Mutah & Cherian, 2015;Lincoln et al 2016;Rask et al 2016;Shawyer et al 2017).…”

Section: Experiences Of Refugees and Its Psychosocial Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, there is a possibility of refugees having different culture compared to the environment they find themselves (Ager & Strand, 2008;Hirani et al 2015;Rask et al 2016;Reinelt, Vasileva & Petermann, 2016;Wright et al 2016). In view of this, moving to a new environment means that they have to adapt to a new way of life.…”

Section: Experiences Of Refugees and Its Psychosocial Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychological experiences of refugees and the response of the community in the Lake Chad region

Alupo

Oginni

Opoku

et al. 2018

Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression

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In recent years, the Lake Chad region which is an intersection of four countries, namely; Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger, has been a major battleground of insurgency and political instability. Particularly, the emergence of Boko Haram and the devastating impact of its activities, exposed the vulnerability in the region. Poverty is prevalent in the region-a situation which has been argued as one of the factor accounting for successful operation of Boko Haram. In the midst of less economic activities, it is important to understand the psychological impact of insurgency on the lives of individuals who have moved from their indigenous homeland to resettle in new communities. Sixty-seven participants were interviewed from nine communities in Cameroon and Nigeria. Participants were psychologically affected by their losses; relatives, properties and even displacement from their homelands. Also, the limited economic activities in the region manifested in the inability of the people to have access to income generation activities. Notwithstanding, the host communities provided solace to the participants by accepting them as equal members of the society and integration in the communities. Most importantly, they see them as their brothers and sisters who have been displaced from their respective communities because of attacks from Boko Haram. The study has implication for policy-making, in terms of governments and international partners, exploring ways to create economic opportunities to advance the lives of refugees and internally displace persons (IDPs) in the region.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experiences Of Refugees and Its Psychosocial Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experiences Of Refugees and Its Psychosocial Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Psychological experiences of refugees and the response of the community in the Lake Chad region

Alupo

Oginni

Opoku

et al. 2018

Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression

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“…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%

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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Gender differences in health literacy of migrants: a synthesis of qualitative evidence

Aldin

Chakraverty

Baumeister

et al. 2019

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

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The ethnic gap in mental health: A population-based study of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland

Abstract: Mental health symptoms are highly prevalent particularly in Kurdish migrants in Finland. Holistic interventions and co-operation between integration and mental health services are acutely needed.

Cited by 47 publications

References 27 publications

Psychological experiences of refugees and the response of the community in the Lake Chad region

Psychological experiences of refugees and the response of the community in the Lake Chad region

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

Gender differences in health literacy of migrants: a synthesis of qualitative evidence

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