scholarly journals Living in the Shadow of Political Decisions: Former Refugees’ Experiences of Supporting Newly Arrived Refugee Minors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Randell ◽  
Fatumo Osman
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Cultural Integration ◽  
Swedish Society ◽  
Save The Children ◽  
Charity Organization ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Migration Politics ◽  
Minor Refugees ◽  
Refugee Minors

Abstract Intending to support the cultural integration of unaccompanied refugee minors into the Swedish society, the Save the Children charity organization arranged meeting places in 2018 in four municipalities in Sweden. The mentors for the activities at these meeting places were recruited among former refugees who themselves had arrived in Sweden as unaccompanied minors. The study aimed to explore the experiences of being a mentor offering peer support to unaccompanied minor refugees at the meeting places. In this study, four semi-structured group interviews were conducted at the meeting places with 14 mentors, also former refugees. Data were analysed using thematic network analysis. Although the respondents expressed frustration concerning the Swedish migration politics, they all perceived the helping role as of utmost importance and connected this to positive emotions. The study highlights the unique contributions of peer support to the integration process of refugee minors by mentors providing social support, sharing experience-based knowledge and helping minors to navigate an often confusing and complex welfare system.

scholarly journals Differences in psychiatric care utilisation among unaccompanied refugee minors, accompanied migrant minors, and Swedish-born minors

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (11) ◽  
pp. 1449-1456
Author(s):  
Lovisa Axelsson ◽  
Sofie Bäärnhielm ◽  
Christina Dalman ◽  
Anna-Clara Hollander
Keyword(s):  
Outpatient Care ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Adhd Medication ◽  
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors ◽  
Permanent Resident ◽  
Care Utilisation ◽  
Swedish Society ◽  
Refugee Minors

Abstract Purpose To better understand underutilisation of psychiatric care among migrant children, we compared utilisation of psychiatric care among unaccompanied refugee minors and accompanied migrant minors, with Swedish-born minors. Methods Using a large longitudinal database of linked national registers, we established a retrospective cohort of 1,328,397 people born 1984–1988 comparing minors born in Sweden to 2 Swedish-born parents (95.4%) to minors who had been arriving in Sweden between 2002 and 2011 with a permanent resident permit and were either unaccompanied refugee minors (0.4%), or accompanied migrant minors (4.0%). The outcome measures were different measures of psychiatric care including in- and outpatient care, and prescribed psychotropic medication. Result Compared with the Swedish-born minors the unaccompanied refugee minors had a higher likelihood of utilisation of all psychiatric care except ADHD medication. However, compared with accompanied migrant minors, the Swedish-born minors had a higher likelihood of having utilised psychiatric care. Conclusion Our study shows that during the first years of living in Sweden, there seems to be fewer barriers to psychiatric care for unaccompanied refugee minors compared to the accompanied migrant minors. There are a number of possible reasons for this including stronger ties with the Swedish society.

scholarly journals Living together: An integrated acculturation–contact strategy to promote ethnic harmony between young British Muslims and Anglo-Britons

2021 ◽  
pp. 136843022110194
Author(s):  
Hisham M. Abu-Rayya ◽  
Rupert Brown
Keyword(s):  
Intergroup Relations ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
The Self ◽  
Cultural Integration ◽  
Intergroup Emotions ◽  
Intercultural Contact ◽  
Living Together ◽  
Group Integration ◽  
British Muslims ◽  
Practical Implications

Acculturation theorists have proposed that minority and majority members’ endorsement of the cultural integration orientation should positively impact their mutual intergroup relations. To examine this claim, the study develops and experimentally tests a vicarious intercultural contact strategy designed to promote integration endorsement among a sample of 379 British youths (aged between 18 and 21 years), of whom 172 were British Muslims and 207 were White British. In line with theoretical expectations, results revealed that integration attained through vicarious contact, relative to a control condition, reduced respondents’ negative emotions, increased their positive emotions and inclusion of the other in the self (IOS), and improved their outgroup attitudes. These effects were only present in the Muslim group. Integration effects on outgroup attitude outcomes were mediated by intergroup emotions and IOS. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

scholarly journals Unaccompanied/Separated Minors and Refugee Protection in Canada: Filling Information Gaps

Refuge ◽  
2006 ◽  
pp. 125-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Wouk ◽  
Soojin Yu ◽  
Lisa Roach ◽  
Jessie Thomson ◽  
Anmarie Harris
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Unaccompanied Minors ◽  
Processing Times ◽  
Refugee Protection ◽  
Unaccompanied Children ◽  
Minor Refugees ◽  
Refugee Minors ◽  
Information Gaps

This paper fills information gaps with regard to unaccompanied/ separated minors in Canada. By the means of reviewing Citizenship and Immigration Canada administrative databases, it investigates how many unaccompanied/separated refugee minors exist, who they are, and how they are received in Canada.We found that there were fewer truly unaccompanied minors than previously reported. In the asylum stream, only 0.63 per cent (or 1,087) of the total claimant population were found to be unaccompanied by adults in the past five years. In the resettlement stream only two truly unaccompanied minors were resettled during 2003 and 2004. Regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, we found that unaccompanied minors compose a highly heterogeneous group from many different countries. Regarding how they were received in Canada, very little evidence existed. Our study found that unaccompanied and separated asylum-seeking minors showed a higher acceptance rate and quicker processing times than the adult population, but details about the minors’ actual reception into Canada remains to be further explored. This study recommends that Citizenship and Immigration Canada review its administrative databases with a view toward improving the data about separated/unaccompanied children. Consistent and detailed definitions are required to develop a comprehensive policy framework for unaccompanied/ separated minor refugees in Canada.

scholarly journals Prevalences of mental distress and its associated factors in unaccompanied refugee minors in Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Höhne ◽  
T. Banaschewski. ◽  
M. Bajbouj ◽  
K. Böge ◽  
T. Sukale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Minor Refugees ◽  
Refugee Minors

AbstractPrevalences for mental disorders within minor refugees are comparatively high and heterogeneous. To reduce heterogeneity and identify high-risk subgroups, we compared unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) to accompanied refugee minors (ARM) regarding depressive symptoms and mental distress. Furthermore, we examined associative factors of mental distress in URM on a broad scale. We conducted a survey with a cross-sectional design in four German University hospitals. The sample consisted of n = 172 URM and n = 52 ARM aged 14–21. Depressive symptoms were assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Mental distress was assessed by the Refugee Health Screener (RHS-15). Mann–Whitney test was used to examine differences between URM and ARM. Associated factors of mental distress were evaluated via a stepwise multiple regression analysis. URM showed significantly higher mean scores for PHQ-9 (p < .001) and RHS-15 (p < .001) compared to ARM indicating medium effect sizes. Furthermore, URM were significantly more likely to surpass the cut-off for depression (61.6% vs. 30.8%) and overall mental distress (81.4% vs. 53.8%) compared to ARM. The factors Number of stressful life events (SLE), Female gender, and Fear of deportation were found to be associated with an increased mental distress in URM, whereas Weekly contact to a family member, School attendance, and German language skills were accompanied with lower distress scores. All six factors accounted for 32% of the variance of mental distress in URM (p < .001). Within minor refugees, URM are a highly vulnerable subgroup, which should receive particular attention and more targeted measures by health authorities. Our results indicate that these measures should comprise a rapid promotion of family contact, school attendance, language acquisition, and the fast processing of asylum applications. However, the cross-sectional design limits the interpretability of the results.

scholarly journals Effect of group counseling on happiness, life satisfaction and positive-negative affect: A mixed method study

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orkide Bakalım ◽  
Arzu Taşdelen Karçkay
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Group Counselling ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Group Interviews

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a group counselling programme on happiness, life satisfaction and positive-negative affect of guidance and psychological counselling department students. The group members consisted of 28 (18 females, 10 males). Group counselling programme was applied once a week for 8 weeks.  Quantitative analysis of the study was performed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and qualitative analysis was performed by content analysis of the focus group interviews and student evaluations reports.  Quantitative analysis results showed that psychological group counselling enhances the positive emotions, happiness and life satisfaction levels of the students, while it did not have any effect on the negative emotions. Qualitative analysis results demonstrated that students had both personal and professional gains in this process.

scholarly journals When Colour Matters: Policing and Hate Crime

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berit Wigerfelt ◽  
Anders S. Wigerfelt ◽  
Jenny Kiiskinen
Keyword(s):  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Hate Crime ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Dark Skin ◽  
Racial Harassment ◽  
Swedish Society ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Group Interviews

Contrary to the image of Sweden as a tolerant, colour-blind and non-racial country, which is based on the narrative of a country for instance associated with solidarity with the so-called Third World; in this article we argue that racial attributes, e.g. visible differences, account for people’s different life possibilities and circumstances in Swedish society. This article explores and discusses whether, and if so why, people who belong to the group that is categorised as “non-white”, with an emphasis on Afroswedes, and depicted as racially different, experience being targets of diverse variations of bias-based policing, harassment and hate crime. Theories relating to colonial stereotypes, racism, doing difference, the geography of hate, race/ethnicity profiling and intersectionality are used to analyse our material. Based on individual and focus group interviews with “non-whites”, this article discusses how visible differences are highlighted in different kinds of social contexts. The interview results show that people with dark skin are often targets of different kinds of private and public policing based on race- and ethnicity profiling that often occurs on or near borders/boundaries. When those who are targets of racial harassment and exclusion resist such treatment, e.g. by crossing borders/boundaries, they are at risk of becoming victims of hate crime.

scholarly journals Testing an analogue game to promote peer support and person-centredness in education for people with type 2 diabetes: a realist evaluation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibeke Stenov ◽  
Pil Lindgreen ◽  
Ingrid Willaing Tapager ◽  
Henning Grubb Basballe ◽  
Lene Eide Joensen
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Diabetes Education ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Audio Recordings ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Peer Dialogue ◽  
Group Interviews

Aim To explore the outcomes of testing an analogue game to incorporate person-centredness and peer dialogues in group-based diabetes education targeting people with type 2 diabetes Design A quasi-experimental design inspired by realistic evaluation focusing on context, mechanisms and outcomes of the intervention Methods In March-July 2019, the game was tested among 76 people with type 2 diabetes and 17 healthcare professionals in 19 settings across nine Danish municipalities. Data consisted of audio recordings, individual and group interviews and questionnaires. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation and descriptive statistics. Results Outcomes of using the analogue game in diabetes education were: 1) a playful and relaxed atmosphere; 2) active engagement 3) reflections on diabetes-specific experiences; 4) structured and focused dialogues; 5) healthcare professionals gaining insight into the preferences and needs of participants; and 6) healthcare professionals experiencing peer dialogue as important to incorporate into education. Questionnaire responses showed that 92% of people with type 2 diabetes and 94% of healthcare professionals found that the game incorporated person-centredness and peer dialogues into diabetes education. Conclusion Implementing the analogue game as part of patient education facilitated peer support and person-centredness in a fun and playful way. Lack of time in diabetes education programmes and complicated game rules inhibited person-centeredness and peer dialogue.

The culture of gifting with the emergence of online tourism experiential gift-giving

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Gardiner ◽  
Alexandra Bec
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Gift Giving ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Behavior ◽  
Adventure Tourism ◽  
The Gift ◽  
New Form ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose This study aims to explore the evolution of the culture agapic (personal) gift-giving with the advent of new online gifting platforms that provide the opportunity to gift tourism experiences. This study investigates this well-established cultural behavior in view of this new form of social exchange. Design/methodology/approach Focus group interviews with two key target markets – mothers and couples/singles – were conducted (N = 39). Interview questions focused on understanding gifting using online platforms, sharing the experience and the role of various parties in the exchange. Findings This study reveals that experiential tourism gifts differ from physical gifts because they offer novelty and symbolic value, heighten positive emotions and have the potential to create lifelong memories for recipients. However, giving an experiential gift can also be a risky option because of the uncertainty of getting the gift–recipient identity match correct, particularly for adventure tourism gifts. The identity of the gift-giver is also considered in gift selection as the experience selected is a reflection of self. Practical implications It is recommended that online experiential gifting platforms pay attention to both the identity of the gift-giver and gift-recipient. Sharing the experience through social media posts can reinforce both parties’ social identity, create a positive social exchange and may motivate repeat purchase. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to uncover the motivational factors of online tourism experiential gifting as part of the culture of gift-giving and the parties in this exchange. The findings advance theoretical understanding of this new form of social exchange.

scholarly journals The Expert Caregiver Intervention Targeting Former Caregivers in Finland: A Co-Design and Feasibility Study Using Mixed Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10133
Author(s):  
Sarah Åkerman ◽  
Fredrica Nyqvist ◽  
Laura Coll-Planas ◽  
Annika Wentjärvi
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Personal Skills ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Informal caregivers face risks of social isolation. Given the high prevalence of informal caregivers in Europe, a considerable proportion of the population are also former caregivers. The Finnish Expert Caregiver intervention sought to train former caregivers to become volunteers aiming to support current caregivers through mainly peer support. The aims of this mixed method non-controlled exploratory intervention study were to assess the feasibility of the Finnish Expert Caregiver intervention by co-designing and implementing the intervention, and by assessing demand and practicality with special attention to the impact of COVID-19. The findings imply that the intervention was feasible as it resulted in a co-designed training course consisting of 30 h with 25 participants enrolling and 19 of them trying volunteering activities. The participants reported high scores on well-being at all timepoints of study, however, without statistically significant differences. The analysis of the focus group interviews revealed that the Expert Caregivers experienced the intervention as meaningful and offered them a sense of belonging with the other participants. Apart from using their caregiving past as an asset, the participants also took advantage of other personal skills and resources. Risks of adverse effects were related to the participants’ expectations on their own contribution, demanding peer support recipients, poorly functioning peer support groups, and insufficient distance to one’s caregiving past. The participants stressed the need for continuing support from intervention facilitators. Future studies with larger samples should investigate whether the effects differ between subgroups of participants and explore the perspective of the peer support recipients.

The role of affect in feelings of obligation

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefen Beeler-Duden ◽  
Meltem Yucel ◽  
Amrisha Vaish
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotions ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Sense Of Obligation

Abstract Tomasello offers a compelling account of the emergence of humans’ sense of obligation. We suggest that more needs to be said about the role of affect in the creation of obligations. We also argue that positive emotions such as gratitude evolved to encourage individuals to fulfill cooperative obligations without the negative quality that Tomasello proposes is inherent in obligations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document