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Khozaei F, Islam QU, Ramayah T, Ayub N, Carbon CC. Factors contributing to the mental wellbeing of Afghan migrants in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Migr Health 2024; 9:100211. [PMID: 38312935 PMCID: PMC10835284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to explore the factors contributing mental health of Afghan migrants residing in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges encountered by migrants, especially during times of crisis, this research delves into the influential factors of experienced anxiety, social cohesion, and stress and their significant contribution to the development of depression among Afghan migrants. The study included a sample of 469 individuals from the Afghan migrant community, aged 15 to 80 years. Data collection took place from December to March 2022 in Iran. The study revealed that anxiety and the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced the occurrence of depression among Afghan migrants. Furthermore, the relationship between these factors and depression was mediated by the experience of stress. Conversely, higher levels of perceived social cohesion in the host country were linked to reduced stress and depression among the migrants. As Afghan migrants in Iran face a heightened risk of developing depression, the importance of social support and integration is underscored by the association between higher levels of perceived social cohesion in the host country and reduced levels of stress and depression. Recognizing the vulnerabilities of this population, it becomes evident that fostering social support networks and promoting integration can play a crucial role in mitigating the negative impact of migration-related stressors and enhancing mental wellbeing among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Khozaei
- Department of Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah, Oman
- Research Group EPÆG (Ergonomics, Psychological Aesthetics, Gestalt), Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Qamar Ul Islam
- Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah, Oman
| | - T Ramayah
- School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
- Department of Information Technology & Management, Daffodil International University, Birulia, Bangladesh
- Department of Management, Sunway Business School (SBS), Petaling Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- University Center for Research & Development (UCRD), Chandigarh University, Ludhiana, 140413, Punjab, India
- Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia (UI), Depok City, 16424, West Java, Indonesia
- The University of Jordan (UJ), Aljubeiha, Amman, Jordan
| | - Nadia Ayub
- Institute of Business Management Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Claus-Christian Carbon
- Research Group EPÆG (Ergonomics, Psychological Aesthetics, Gestalt), Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany
- Department of General Psychology and Methodology, University of Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany
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McDuffie DL, Crowther MR. "All I Want to Ask Is: Do They Really Care About Us?": Research and Reflections on Behavioral Health in Black Older Adults. Clin Gerontol 2023; 46:1-4. [PMID: 36445380 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2022.2151725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L McDuffie
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Martha R Crowther
- College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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Nkimbeng M, Akumbom A, Granbom M, Szanton SL, Shippee TP, Thorpe RJ, Gaugler JE. Where to Retire? Experiences of Older African Immigrants in the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:1040. [PMID: 35162063 PMCID: PMC8834587 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Doubling in size since the 1970s, the aging needs of the African immigrant population are not fully understood. This qualitative study examined experiences of aging and retirement planning for African immigrant older adults in the United States (U.S.). Specifically, it explored the factors, processes, and ultimate decision of where these older adults planned to retire. Secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 older African immigrants in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area was conducted. Data was analyzed using thematic analyses in NVivo. The majority of participants were women, with a mean age of 64. Three overarching themes with ten sub-themes were identified. The themes included: (1) cultural identity, which indicated the participant's comfort with the U.S. society and culture; (2) decision making, meaning factors that impact participants' choice of retirement location; and (3) decision made, meaning the final choice of where participants would like to retire. Age-friendliness for immigrant older adults in the U.S. is complex and it includes traditional domains such as physical and sociocultural environment (e.g., housing, transportation, and income). However, immigrant age-friendliness also needs to include wider contextual aspects such as political climate of their country of origin, immigrant status, family responsibilities, and acculturation in the U.S. More research is needed to better understand and facilitate age-friendly environments and transnational aging of immigrant older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manka Nkimbeng
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware St SE., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (T.P.S.); (J.E.G.)
| | - Alvine Akumbom
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (A.A.); (S.L.S.)
| | - Marianne Granbom
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Sarah L. Szanton
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (A.A.); (S.L.S.)
| | - Tetyana P. Shippee
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware St SE., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (T.P.S.); (J.E.G.)
| | - Roland J. Thorpe
- Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Joseph E. Gaugler
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware St SE., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (T.P.S.); (J.E.G.)
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