Change in Work-Related Income Following the Uptake of Treatment for Mental Disorders Among Young Migrant and Non-migrant Women in Norway: A National Register Study

Background: Women, and migrant women in particular, are at increased risk of many common mental disorders, which may potentially impact their labor market participation and their work-related income. Previous research found that mental disorders are associated with several work-related outcomes such as loss of income, however, not much is known about how this varies with migrant background. This study investigated the change in work-related income following the uptake of outpatient mental healthcare (OPMH) treatment, a proxy for mental disorder, in young women with and without migrant background. Additionally, we looked at how the association varied by income level.Methods: Using data from four national registries, the study population consisted of women aged 23–40 years residing in Norway for at least three consecutive years between 2006 and 2013 (N = 640,527). By using a stratified linear regression with individual fixed effects, we investigated differences between majority women, descendants and eight migrant groups. Interaction analysis was conducted in order to examine differences in income loss following the uptake of OPMH treatment among women with and without migrant background.Results: Results showed that OPMH treatment was associated with a decrease in income for all groups. However, the negative effect was stronger among those with low income. Only migrant women from Western and EU Eastern Europe with a high income were not significantly affected following OPMH treatment.Conclusion: Experiencing a mental disorder during a critical age for establishment in the labor market can negatively affect not only income, but also future workforce participation, and increase dependency on social welfare services and other health outcomes, regardless of migrant background. Loss of income due to mental disorders can also affect future mental health, resulting in a vicious circle and contributing to more inequalities in the society.

Understanding social justice commitment and pedagogical advantage of teachers with a migrant background in Switzerland: a qualitative study

Purpose This study aims to understand the social justice commitment and the pedagogical advantage of teachers with a migrant background in Switzerland. Through semi-directive interviews with four of them, the research team analyses how these teachers use their background as a resource in their teaching practices. Linking their personal life experiences related to migration and schooling and their professional identity, results show that their history influences their teaching practices but moreover their commitment to social justice within school. Design/methodology/approach For this study, the authors conducted four semi-directive interviews with teachers with a migrant background. The research team transcribed all the interviews and analyzed them through Nvivo software. The analytical process followed the logic of content analysis as developed by Miles and Huberman (2003). The research team used several layers of categories and codes to produce a deeper understanding of the data. On this basis, the authors refined their categories and codes and created research memoranda including all the information to establish the profile of each teacher interviewed. Findings This study’s data showed that “teachers with a migrant background” is a broad category of individuals, all entering the teaching profession with their own life experiences, their own relation to diversity and their own personal background. It also showed that teachers with a migrant background seem committed to social justice in different ways. This relates to Mantel’s study (2021) that established three types of teachers with a migrant background. All of them developing a different pattern of commitment to social justice. Originality/value This study aimed at understanding teachers with a migrant background’s social justice commitment and pedagogical advantage in Switzerland (Canton of Geneva). If this field has been developed in North America, it is not well studied in Switzerland. Yet, the number of teachers with a migrant background is important in some part of the country and might be increasing in the next years. Exploring their potential is therefore a matter of representation and legitimation.

VOICES OF PEOPLE WITH TURKISH BACKGROUND IN GERMAN LITERATURE: LINGUISTIC CHARACTERISTICS

В статье раскрывается специфика языка жителей Германии турецкого происхождения на материале художественных текстов «Берлин, город птиц» Э.С. Оздамар, «Канак шпрак» Ф. Займоглу, «Страница знакомств в Хюрриет» И. Аяты. Обнаруживаются соответствия между выявленными лексико-грамматическими и стилистическими особенностями языкового портрета говорящих и определяющими чертами языковых вариантов, порождаемых в среде мигрантов: немецкий язык гастарбайтеров (Gastarbeiterdeutsch), немецко-турецкий этнолект (Deutsch-Türkisch) и кицдойч (Kiezdeutsch). The article presents the specifics of the language of German residents with Turkish background based on the matter of the following literary texts: «Berlin, City of Birds» by E.S. Özdamar, «Kanak Sprak» by F. Zaimoglu, «Hürriyet Love Express» by I. Ayata. Parallels between identified lexico-grammatical and stylistical specifics of the characters’ linguistic portrait and characteristics of language varieties spoken among the population with migrant background (Gastarbeiter German, German-Turkish, Kiezdeutsch) are found.

The academic performance of students with a migrant background: evidence from a cohort enrolled at Sapienza University of Rome

This study investigates the demographic characteristics and academic performances of foreign students with an Italian educational background in a cohort of 1st-year Bachelor students enrolled at Sapienza University of Rome, in the a.y. 2012/2013, comparing them to Italian and to International students. First, we employed a discrete-time competing risk hazard model to analyse differences in academic performances between Italian, foreign students with an Italian educational background and foreign students with a foreign educational background. Second, we applied regression trees to investigate final grades and the time-to-degree completion of Bachelor’s degree holders. Results show differences in the academic performances of foreign students with an Italian educational background compared to Italian students. Policies are needed, these results suggest, that strengthen opportunities for students from a migrant background since high school.

Sex differences over time for glycemic control, pump use and insulin dose in patients aged 10–40 years with type 1 diabetes: a diabetes registry study

IntroductionTo evaluate sex differences in people with type 1 diabetes concerning changes in glycemic control and trends in insulin pump use and insulin dose over two decades in adolescents and one-and-a-half decades in adults.Research design and methodsPeople aged 10–20 years (data years 1999–2018) and 21–40 years (data years 2004–2018) with type 1 diabetes were identified in the Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry (DPV). All available patients’ data sets of the respective period were used for linear regression analyses to investigate trends in HbA1c, pump use, insulin doses and body mass index SD scores (BMI-SDS) in females and males. In addition, stratification by migrant background was made for the adolescent group.ResultsIn the youth group (n=68 662), both boys and girls showed an HbA1c decrease over the period examined. After stratification for migrant background, an HbA1c convergence between boys and girls was seen in those without migrant background as of 2016. Usage of insulin pumps increased continuously from 3% (boys and girls) to 47% (boys) and 54% (girls), respectively. The daily insulin dose in units per kilogram body weight and day increased continuously from 1999 to 2018. An insulin dose leveling between boys and girls occurred. BMI-SDS consistently increased in girls whereas only slight variations were observed in boys.The adult group (n=15 380) showed constant HbA1c sex differences from 2004 to 2018 with lower HbA1c level in females. The use of insulin pump therapy rose from 18% to 35% (males) and 30% to 50% (females).ConclusionsThe gap in metabolic control between boys and girls with type 1 diabetes seems to close, but predominantly in adolescents without a migrant background. Improved HbA1c was associated with increased insulin pump use, especially in girls.In adult patients, sex differences in metabolic control and insulin pump use persist: women show constantly lower HbA1c values and higher insulin pump use.

Educational Intervention of Healthy Life Promotion for Children with a Migrant Background or at Socioeconomic Disadvantage in the North of Italy: Efficacy of Telematic Tools in Improving Nutritional and Physical Activity Knowledge

The aim of the “Smuovi La Salute” (“Shake Your Health”) project was to implement an integrated and comprehensive model to prevent and treat overweight and obesity in low socioeconomic status (SES) and minority groups living in three different districts in the north of Italy. An app and a cookbook promoting transcultural nutrition and a healthy lifestyle were developed, and no-cost physical activities were organized. Healthy lifestyle teaching was implemented in 30 primary school classrooms. Learning was assessed through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. At the Obesity Pediatric Clinic, overweight and obese children of migrant background or low SES were trained on transcultural nutrition and invited to participate in the project. Primary school students increased their knowledge about healthy nutrition and the importance of physical activity (p-value < 0.001). At the Obesity Pediatric Clinic, after 6 months, pre–post-intervention variation in their consumption of vegetables and fruit was +14% (p < 0.0001) and no variation in physical activity habits occurred (p = 0.34). In this group, the BMI z-score was not significantly decreased (−0.17 ± 0.63, p= 0.15). This study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of telematic tools and targeted community approaches in improving students’ knowledge with regard to healthy lifestyle, particularly in schools in suburbs with a high density of migrants and SES families. Comprehensive and integrated approaches provided to the obese patients remain mostly ineffective.