Social Resilience and Mental Health Among Eritrean Asylum-Seekers in Switzerland

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabra Melamed ◽  
Afona Chernet ◽  
Niklaus D. Labhardt ◽  
Nicole Probst-Hensch ◽  
Constanze Pfeiffer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Symbolic Capital ◽  
Pathways To Care ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Capital Building

Eritreans comprise the largest group of asylum-seekers in Switzerland. Gaining recognized refugee status can take up to 36 months, during which time asylum-seekers live in a state of legal limbo, intensifying threats to their well-being. Resilience and mental health among this population is poorly understood. We interviewed 10 asylum-seekers residing in Switzerland using qualitative, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using the Framework Method. Results indicated that mental health was understood as a binary state rather than a continuum and that trusted friends and family were responsible for recognizing and attempting to treat mental health problems. Pathways to care were potentially interrupted for asylum-seekers. Capital building, considered through the lens of social resilience, consisted of language learning, establishing of new individual- and community-level social networks, and proactive symbolic capital building through volunteering. We contextualize the asylum-seekers’ experience into a resilience framework and offer practical recommendations for improving mental health care access.

scholarly journals Digital Mental Health Resources for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Immigrants: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Herdiyan Maulana ◽  
Timothy Howarth ◽  
Karen Gardner ◽  
Tricia Nagel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gray Literature ◽  
Scoping Reviews

BACKGROUND Asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants experience a number of risk factors for mental health problems. However, in comparison to the host population, these populations are less likely to use mental health services. Digital mental health approaches have been shown to be effective in improving well-being for the general population. Thus, they may provide an effective and culturally appropriate strategy to bridge the treatment gap for these populations vulnerable to mental health risks. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to provide the background and rationale for conducting a scoping review on digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. It also provides an outline of the methods and analyses, which will be used to answer the following questions. What are the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants? Are they effective, feasible, appropriate, and accepted by the population? What are the knowledge gaps in the field? METHODS The scoping review methodology will follow 5 phases: identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. Searches will be conducted in the following databases: EBSCOhost databases (CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE with Full Text, APA PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and APA PsycInfo), PubMed, and Scopus. Additionally, OpenGrey, Mednar, and Eldis will be searched for gray literature. All primary studies and gray literature in English concerning the use of information and communication technology to deliver services addressing mental health issues for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants will be included. RESULTS This scoping review will provide an overview of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants and describe the implementation outcomes of feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of such approaches for those populations. Potential gaps in the field will also be identified. CONCLUSIONS As of February 2020, there were no scoping reviews, which assessed the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. This review will provide an extensive coverage on a promising and innovative intervention for such populations. It will give insight into the range of approaches, their effectiveness, and progress in their implementation. It will also provide valuable information for health practitioners, policy makers, and researchers working with the population. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/19031

scholarly journals Asylum seekers’ mental health in the Finnish Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing Survey (TERTTU)

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A E Castaneda ◽  
E Lilja ◽  
F Garoff ◽  
K L Mustonen ◽  
A Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
National Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Examination Protocol

Abstract Background Asylum seekers have major health and well-being burdens, including mental health. However, there is a lack of population-based survey data on the health status and service needs of asylum seekers in Europe. The TERTTU-project was launched to fill these information gaps and to develop the current health examination protocol for assessing the health, well-being and need for health care services, including mental health, of newly arrived asylum seekers. Methods As part of the TERTTU-project, systematic, nationally representative data was collected in 2018 by conducting a health examination and a face-to-face interview survey in reception centers in Finland (n = 1087). The sample was drawn from the Finnish Immigration Services electronic asylum database. Mental health was assessed with the HSCL and PROTECT questionnaires (SDQ among the children), along with questions of potentially traumatic experiences. Results 39% (95% CI 35,6-42,6) of the adults had current severe depressive and anxiety symptoms, 50% (95% CI 46,9-53,9) had an increased risk for PTSD, and 83% (95% CI 80,0-85,3) had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event before arriving to Finland. The most common psychosocial symptoms among 2-6 year-olds were behavioral symptoms (49%) and difficulties in peer relationships (37%). Difficulties in peer relationships were also common among 7-17 year-olds (49%), followed by challenges in the emotional domain (42%). Conclusions Potentially traumatic experiences and mental health problems are common among asylum seekers in Finland. Based on the survey-data, a national health examination protocol will be developed in 2019 to improve assessment and identification and to enable systematic health monitoring and evidence-based development of services for asylum seekers. A common health examination protocol will also unify practices across reception centers all over the country. Key messages Potentially traumatic experiences and mental health problems are common among asylum seekers in Finland. A national health examination protocol allows for the early identification of vulnerable groups and individuals.

scholarly journals Digital Mental Health Resources for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Immigrants: Protocol for a Scoping Review

10.2196/19031 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e19031
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Herdiyan Maulana ◽  
Timothy Howarth ◽  
Karen Gardner ◽  
Tricia Nagel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gray Literature ◽  
Scoping Reviews

Background Asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants experience a number of risk factors for mental health problems. However, in comparison to the host population, these populations are less likely to use mental health services. Digital mental health approaches have been shown to be effective in improving well-being for the general population. Thus, they may provide an effective and culturally appropriate strategy to bridge the treatment gap for these populations vulnerable to mental health risks. Objective This paper aims to provide the background and rationale for conducting a scoping review on digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. It also provides an outline of the methods and analyses, which will be used to answer the following questions. What are the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants? Are they effective, feasible, appropriate, and accepted by the population? What are the knowledge gaps in the field? Methods The scoping review methodology will follow 5 phases: identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. Searches will be conducted in the following databases: EBSCOhost databases (CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE with Full Text, APA PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and APA PsycInfo), PubMed, and Scopus. Additionally, OpenGrey, Mednar, and Eldis will be searched for gray literature. All primary studies and gray literature in English concerning the use of information and communication technology to deliver services addressing mental health issues for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants will be included. Results This scoping review will provide an overview of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants and describe the implementation outcomes of feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of such approaches for those populations. Potential gaps in the field will also be identified. Conclusions As of February 2020, there were no scoping reviews, which assessed the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. This review will provide an extensive coverage on a promising and innovative intervention for such populations. It will give insight into the range of approaches, their effectiveness, and progress in their implementation. It will also provide valuable information for health practitioners, policy makers, and researchers working with the population. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/19031

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield: Narratives on the road to asylum

2020 ◽  
pp. 136346152090163
Author(s):  
Debbie C Hocking
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Determination Process ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to explore the ecological influences on subjective well-being identified by current and former community-dwelling asylum seekers engaged in the process of Refugee Status Determination in Australia. This article presents the qualitative component of a prospective mixed-methods study of 131 asylum seekers and refugees (T1, N = 131; T2, N = 56). The Framework Analysis method was employed to qualitatively analyse the narrative data derived from 187 semi-structured interviews documenting pre-, peri-, and post-migration experiences, and the impact of Australia’s asylum policies and procedures. Four overarching themes comprising 15 sub-themes emerged: The Refugee Status Determination process (Waiting; Uncertainty; Worry) ; Psychosocial factors (Un/employment & gainful activity; Medicare; Accommodation; Family separation & loneliness; Loss) ; Health and well-being (Mental health; Physical health & somatic issues; Hopelessness; Helplessness) ; and Protective factors (Hope; Support & social connectivity; Religion). The complex interface between the Refugee Status Determination process, un/employment, and mental health concerns was the most salient finding. Policy implications are discussed in relation to the application of the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Guidelines on the Judicial Approach to Expert Medical Evidence.

scholarly journals Supporting the emotional needs of young people in care: a qualitative study of foster carer perspectives

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e033317
Author(s):  
Rachel M Hiller ◽  
Sarah L Halligan ◽  
Richard Meiser-Stedman ◽  
Elizabeth Elliott ◽  
Emily Rutter-Eley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Qualitative Focus Groups

ObjectivesYoung people who have been removed from their family home and placed in care have often experienced maltreatment and there is well-developed evidence of poor psychological outcomes. Once in care, foster carers often become the adult who provides day-to-day support, yet we know little about how they provide this support or the challenges to and facilitators of promoting better quality carer–child relationships. The aim of this study was to understand how carers support the emotional needs of the young people in their care and their views on barriers and opportunities for support.Design and participantsParticipants were 21 UK foster carers, recruited from a local authority in England. They were predominantly female (86%), aged 42–65 years old and ranged from those who were relatively new to the profession (<12 months’ experience) to those with over 30 years of experience as a carer. We ran three qualitative focus groups to gather in-depth information about their views on supporting their foster children’s emotional well-being. Participants also completed short questionnaires about their training experiences and sense of competence.ResultsOnly half of the sample strongly endorsed feeling competent in managing the emotional needs of their foster children. While all had completed extensive training, especially on attachment, diagnosis-specific training for mental health problems (eg, trauma-related distress, depression) was less common. Thematic analysis showed consistent themes around the significant barriers carers faced navigating social care and mental health systems, and mixed views around the best way to support young people, particularly those with complex mental health needs and in relation to reminders of their early experiences.ConclusionsFindings have important implications for practice and policy around carer training and support, as well as for how services support the mental health needs of young people in care.

Comparing the social networks of service users with long term mental health needs living in community with those in a general adult in-patient unit

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110175
Author(s):  
Roberto Rusca ◽  
Ike-Foster Onwuchekwa ◽  
Catherine Kinane ◽  
Douglas MacInnes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
The Social

Background: Relationships are vital to recovery however, there is uncertainty whether users have different types of social networks in different mental health settings and how these networks may impact on users’ wellbeing. Aims: To compare the social networks of people with long-term mental illness in the community with those of people in a general adult in-patient unit. Method: A sample of general adult in-patients with enduring mental health problems, aged between 18 and 65, was compared with a similar sample attending a general adult psychiatric clinic. A cross-sectional survey collected demographic data and information about participants’ social networks. Participants also completed the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale to examine well-being and the Significant Others Scale to explore their social network support. Results: The study recruited 53 participants (25 living in the community and 28 current in-patients) with 339 named as important members of their social networks. Both groups recorded low numbers in their social networks though the community sample had a significantly greater number of social contacts (7.4 vs. 5.4), more monthly contacts with members of their network and significantly higher levels of social media use. The in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Conclusions: People with serious and enduring mental health problems living in the community had a significantly greater number of people in their social network than those who were in-patients while the in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Recommendations for future work have been made.

scholarly journals Dual impacts of coronavirus anxiety on mental health in 35 societies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Xiaohua Chen ◽  
Jacky C. K. Ng ◽  
Bryant P. H. Hui ◽  
Algae K. Y. Au ◽  
Wesley C. H. Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Psychological Adaptation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Vulnerability

AbstractThe spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected both physical health and mental well-being around the world. Stress-related reactions, if prolonged, may result in mental health problems. We examined the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in a multinational study and explored the effects of government responses to the outbreak. We sampled 18,171 community adults from 35 countries/societies, stratified by age, gender, and region of residence. Across the 35 societies, 26.6% of participants reported moderate to extremely severe depression symptoms, 28.2% moderate to extremely severe anxiety symptoms, and 18.3% moderate to extremely severe stress symptoms. Coronavirus anxiety comprises two factors, namely Perceived Vulnerability and Threat Response. After controlling for age, gender, and education level, perceived vulnerability predicted higher levels of negative emotional symptoms and psychological distress, whereas threat response predicted higher levels of self-rated health and subjective well-being. People in societies with more stringent control policies had more threat response and reported better subjective health. Coronavirus anxiety exerts detrimental effects on subjective health and well-being, but also has the adaptive function in mobilizing safety behaviors, providing support for an evolutionary perspective on psychological adaptation.

scholarly journals Coping Strategies by University Students in Response to COVID-19: Differences between Community and Clinical Groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2499
Author(s):  
Víctor-María López-Ramos ◽  
Benito León-del-Barco ◽  
Santiago Mendo-Lázaro ◽  
María-Isabel Polo-del-Río
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Cognitive Avoidance ◽  
Coping Response ◽  
Community Group

Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic had severe consequences on the health and well-being of millions of people. Different studies try to identify the main effects that the crisis and several lockdowns have had on the citizens’ mental health. This research analyses the coping strategies generated by students from a community group and a clinical group in response to this crisis, using the Coping Responses Inventory—Adult Form (CRI-A) by Moos with a sample of 1074 students of Universidad de Extremadura. Multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis have been carried out, revealing, amongst other things, a greater predisposition of the clinical sample towards factors such as seeking guidance and support, cognitive avoidance or emotional discharge. Results show that students with prior mental health problems perform an unhealthy coping response based on avoidance strategies. This group of students suffers a double source of distress and anxiety, one derived from their prior psychopathologic problems and the stress of the lockdown and another one originating from an inefficient coping response, which makes coping strategies raise levels of distress and anxiety.

scholarly journals Embitterment as a Specific Mental Health Reaction during the Coronavirus Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Beate Muschalla ◽  
Clio Vollborn ◽  
Anke Sondhof
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Perceived Injustice

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Embitterment can occur as a reaction to perceived injustice. During the pandemic and restrictions in daily living due to infection risk management, a range of many smaller or severe injustices have occurred. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study is to investigate what characterizes persons with high embitterment, mental illness, embitterment and mental illness, and those without embitterment or mental health problems. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted an online survey including persons from the general population in November 2020 and December 2020, the phase during which a second lockdown took place, with closed shops, restaurants, cultural and activity sites. 3,208 participants (mean age 47 years) gave self-ratings on their present well-being, burdens experienced during the pandemic, embitterment, wisdom, and resilience. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Embitterment occurred among 16% of the sample, which is a high rate in comparison with 4% during pre-pandemic times. Embitterment was weakly correlated with unspecific mental well-being. There were more persons with embitterment than those with embitterment and a mental health problem. Persons with embitterment reported less coronavirus-related anxiety than persons without embitterment. However, embittered persons reported more social and economic burdens and more frequent experiences of losses (job loss and canceling of medical treatments). Embittered persons perceive their own wisdom competencies on a similar level as persons with mental health problems or persons without mental health problems. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Embitterment is a specific potentially alone-standing affective state, which is distinguishable from general mental health and coping capacities (here: wisdom). The economic and social consequences of pandemic management should be carefully recognized and prevented by policy.

scholarly journals Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert E. Ainamani ◽  
Godfrey Z. Rukundo ◽  
Timothy Nduhukire ◽  
Eunice Ndyareba ◽  
Tobias Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242, p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.

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