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Schoenweger P, Kirschneck M, Biersack K, Di Meo AF, Reindl-Spanner P, Prommegger B, Ditzen-Janotta C, Henningsen P, Krcmar H, Gensichen J, Jung-Sievers C. Community indicators for mental health in Europe: a scoping review. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1188494. [PMID: 37538274 PMCID: PMC10396773 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1188494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Community indicators may predict and influence individuals` mental health, and support or impede mental health management. However, there is no consensus on which indicators should be included in predictions, prognostic algorithms, or management strategies for community-based mental health promotion and prevention approaches. Therefore, this scoping review provides an overview of relevant community-level indicators for mental health in the general as well as risk populations in a European context. Methods We conducted a scoping review in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo. Eligible studies focused on context factors such as either the physical or social environment, reporting at least one mental health outcome and referring to a European population. Publications between 2012 and March 8, 2022 are considered. Results In total, the search yielded 12,200 identified records. After the removal of duplicates, 10,059 records were screened against the eligibility criteria. In total, 169 studies were included in the final analysis. Out of these included studies, 6% focused on pan-European datasets and 94% on a specific European country. Populations were either general or high-risk populations (56 vs. 44%, respectively) with depressive disorder as the main reported outcome (49%), followed by general mental health (33%) and anxiety (23%). Study designs were cross-sectional studies (59%), longitudinal (27%), and others (14%). The final set of indicators consisted of 53 indicators, which were grouped conceptually into 13 superordinate categories of community indicators. These were divided into the domains of the physical and social environment. The most commonly measured and reported categories of community indicators associated with mental health outcomes were social networks (n = 87), attitudinal factors toward vulnerable groups (n = 76), and the characteristics of the built environment (n = 56). Conclusion This review provides an evidence base of existing and novel community-level indicators that are associated with mental health. Community factors related to the physical and social environment should be routinely recorded and considered as influencing factors or potentially underestimated confounders. The relevance should be analyzed and included in clinical outcomes, data, monitoring and surveillance as they may reveal new trends and targets for public mental health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schoenweger
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Michaela Kirschneck
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Biersack
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna-Francesca Di Meo
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Reindl-Spanner
- TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara Prommegger
- TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Ditzen-Janotta
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Henningsen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Helmut Krcmar
- TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Gensichen
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Jung-Sievers
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
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2
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Kumar BN, Diaz E, Castaneda AE, Ahrne M, NØrredam ML, Puthoopparambil SJ. Migration health research in the Nordic countries: Priorities and implications for public health. Scand J Public Health 2022; 50:1039-1046. [PMID: 36245405 DOI: 10.1177/14034948221125037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The past 50 years have witnessed an increase in immigration to the Nordic countries from and beyond neighbouring countries in Europe. Diversity implies variations and differences in health status and health outcomes both within and across populations. Migrant health research has not been prioritized and health policies and practice, especially long-term national plans, often exclude migrants. In this article, we briefly trace the history, the groups, reasons for migration and the road to migrant health research in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. We discuss the case for data and research including needs, basis for data collection and the methodological challenges. We provide a brief snapshot of migrant health research, identify current gaps and discuss the implications for research. We recommend a regional Nordic strategy to promote intercountry exchange, sharing and learning. Finally, we reflect on the larger picture, implications for policy and practice that could enable societal conditions to reduce avoidable health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Malin Ahrne
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
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3
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Täuber S. Women Academics’ Intersectional Experiences of Policy Ineffectiveness in the European Context. Front Psychol 2022; 13:810569. [PMID: 35602685 PMCID: PMC9122029 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.810569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite policy efforts targeted at making universities more inclusive and equitable, academia is still rife with harassment and bullying, and opportunities are far from equal for everyone. The present preregistered survey research (N = 91) aimed to explore whether an intersectional approach can be useful to examine the tangible effects of policy ineffectiveness, even when legislative and ideologic constraints limit the possibility to conduct a full-fledged intersectional analysis. Policy ineffectiveness was operationalized as experiences of harassment, discrimination, institutional resistance to gender equality, and retaliation against reporters of misconduct in universities. Policy ineffectiveness was negatively related to women academics’ inclination to pursue an academic career. This relationship was mediated by lower levels of psychological safety associated with policy ineffectiveness. Importantly, women academics who differ from the majority on multiple dimensions show a stronger and more negative relationship between policy ineffectiveness and psychological safety. The study further shows that self-report measures are useful to uncover intersectional privilege afforded to overrepresented groups in academia. The study discusses the benefits of intersectional approaches for designing and implementing effective policies to tackle harassment and inequality in academia, even when the available methodologies are constrained by legislation and ideology. Overall, self-report measurement can have an important function for signalling areas that warrant further intersectional inquiry to ensure that policies serve everyone.
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4
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Salama E, Castaneda AE, Suvisaari J, Rask S, Laatikainen T, Niemelä S. Substance use, affective symptoms, and suicidal ideation among Russian, Somali, and Kurdish migrants in Finland. Transcult Psychiatry 2022; 59:37-51. [PMID: 32164497 PMCID: PMC8859688 DOI: 10.1177/1363461520906028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Comorbidity of substance use with affective symptoms and suicidality has been well documented in the general population. However, population-based migrant studies about this association are scarce. We examined the association of affective symptoms and suicidal ideation with binge drinking, daily smoking, and lifetime cannabis use among Russian, Somali, and Kurdish migrants in comparison with the Finnish general population. Cross-sectional data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu, n = 1307) and comparison group data of the general Finnish population (n = 860) from the Health 2011 Survey were used. Substance use included self-reported current binge drinking, daily smoking, and lifetime cannabis use. Affective symptoms and suicidal ideation were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses, including age, gender, and additional socio-demographic and migration-related factors. Suicidal ideation (OR 2.4 95% CI 1.3-4.3) was associated with binge drinking among Kurds and lifetime cannabis use among Russians (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.9-17.0) and Kurds (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.9-15.6). Affective symptoms were associated with daily smoking (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.02-2.6) and lifetime cannabis use (OR 6.1, 95% CI 2.6-14.5) among Kurdish migrants. Our results draw attention to the co-occurrence of suicidal ideation, affective symptoms, and substance use, especially among Kurdish migrants. These results highlight the variation of comorbidity of substance use and affective symptoms between the different populations. This implies that screening for substance use in mental healthcare cannot be neglected based on presumed habits of substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essi Salama
- Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Finland.,Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Anu E Castaneda
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Shadia Rask
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland
| | - Tiina Laatikainen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland.,Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.,Joint municipal authority for North Karelia social and health services (Siun sote), Finland
| | - Solja Niemelä
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku, Finland.,Addiction Psychiatry Unit, Turku University Hospital, Finland
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5
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Saasa S, Miller S. Biopsychosocial Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among First-Generation Black African Immigrants. SOCIAL WORK 2021; 66:329-338. [PMID: 34410429 DOI: 10.1093/sw/swab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Few studies examine factors associated with mental health distress among immigrants from African countries. Using cross-sectional data from first-generation Black African immigrants across the United States (N = 180), this study examined biopsychosocial factors that influence depression and anxiety symptoms among African immigrants in the United States. Ordinary least squares regression was conducted to analyze the data. Approximately 22 percent of the sample reported depression and anxiety symptoms in the moderate to severe range. Results indicated that being male, substance use, discrimination, and loneliness were significantly associated with worse depression and anxiety symptoms. In addition, worries about safety and financial strain were associated with increased mental health distress. Loneliness also moderated the association between discrimination and depression and anxiety symptoms. Findings imply that relational interventions in direct practice settings may play a critical role in helping African immigrants ameliorate depression and anxiety symptoms. This study supports the use of the biopsychosocial approach in assessment and intervention of mental health symptoms as well as a systems approach when understanding the experiences of African immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherinah Saasa
- School of Social Work, Brigham Young University, 2190 JFSB, Provo, UT 84062
| | - Selina Miller
- School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis
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6
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Ethnic Identity as a Mediator of the Relationship between Discrimination and Psychological Well-Being in South-South Migrant Populations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052359. [PMID: 33670960 PMCID: PMC7957580 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
There is abundant evidence about the negative impact of discrimination on well-being, but less research on factors that can reduce this negative effect, mainly focused on North American samples and with incipient development on South-South migration. The objective of this research was to analyze the effect of ethnic identity on the relationship between the experience of racial and ethnic discrimination and psychological well-being in Colombian immigrants living in Chile. A total of 962 immigrants over the age of 18 from three cities in Chile participated. Of these, 50.7% were women. The average age was 35 years (SD = 10.23). Participants were evaluated using Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scales, Phinney's adapted version of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Scale, and Krieger's Discrimination Experience Scale. After the analysis of the measurement models, a mediation model was analyzed using structural equations. The results provide evidence that ethnic and racial discrimination have negative effects on psychological well-being, with the effect of racial discrimination being greater. Likewise, ethnic identity has positive effects on psychological well-being and partially and completely mediates the effects of ethnic and racial discrimination on psychological well-being. The full effect of discrimination on psychological well-being, mediated by ethnic identity, is exercised only by racial discrimination and not by ethnic discrimination.
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7
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Çilenti K, Rask S, Elovainio M, Lilja E, Kuusio H, Koskinen S, Koponen P, Castaneda AE. Use of Health Services and Unmet Need among Adults of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish Origin in Finland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2229. [PMID: 33668241 PMCID: PMC7956472 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Equal access to health care is one of the key policy priorities in many European societies. Previous findings suggest that there may be wide differences in the use of health services between people of migrant origin and the general population. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a random sample of persons of Russian (n = 692), Somali (n = 489), and Kurdish (n = 614) origin and the Health 2011 survey data (n = 1406) representing the general population in Finland. Having at least one outpatient visit to any medical doctor during the previous 12 months was at the same level for groups of Russian and Kurdish origin, but lower for people of Somali origin, compared with the general population. Clear differences were found when examining where health care services were sought: people of migrant origin predominantly visited a doctor at municipal health centers whereas the general population also used private and occupational health care. Self-reported need for doctor's treatment was especially high among Russian women and Kurdish men and women. Compared to the general population, all migrant origin groups reported much higher levels of unmet medical need and were less satisfied with the treatment they had received. Improving basic-level health services would serve besides the population at large, the wellbeing of the population of migrant origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Çilenti
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shadia Rask
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
| | - Marko Elovainio
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Lilja
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
| | - Hannamaria Kuusio
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
| | - Seppo Koskinen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
| | - Päivikki Koponen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
| | - Anu E. Castaneda
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (S.R.); (M.E.); (E.L.); (H.K.); (S.K.); (P.K.); (A.E.C.)
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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8
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Castaneda AE, Çilenti K, Rask S, Lilja E, Skogberg N, Kuusio H, Salama E, Lahti J, Elovainio M, Suvisaari J, Koskinen S, Koponen P. Migrants Are Underrepresented in Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services-Survey and Register-Based Findings of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish Origin Adults in Finland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17176223. [PMID: 32867157 PMCID: PMC7504052 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that migration background increases the risk of mental ill health, but that problems exist in accessing healthcare services in people of migrant origin. The present study uses a combination of register- and survey-based data to examine mental health-related health service use in three migrant origin populations as well as the correspondence between the need and use of services. The data are from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu), a comprehensive cross-sectional interview and a health examination survey. A random sample consisted of 5909 working-aged adults of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish origin of which 3000 were invited to participate in the survey and the rest were drawn for a register-based approach. Some of the mental health services, based on registers, were more prevalent in the Kurdish origin group in comparison with the general population and less prevalent in the Russian and Somali origin groups. All the migrant origin groups were underrepresented in rehabilitation services. When affective symptoms were taken into account, all the migrant origin groups were underrepresented in all of the services. This calls for actions to promote mental health, diminish the barriers to access services, and improve the service paths for migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu E. Castaneda
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-29-524-7848
| | - Katja Çilenti
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Shadia Rask
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Eero Lilja
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Natalia Skogberg
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Hannamaria Kuusio
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Essi Salama
- Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland & Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland;
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Marko Elovainio
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Seppo Koskinen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Päivikki Koponen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (K.Ç.); (S.R.); (E.L.); (N.S.); (H.K.); (M.E.); (J.S.); (S.K.); (P.K.)
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9
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Lämsä R, Castaneda AE, Weiste A, Laalo M, Koponen P, Kuusio H. The Role of Perceived Unjust Treatment in Unmet Needs for Primary Care Among Finnish Roma Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165825. [PMID: 32806508 PMCID: PMC7460452 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The main goal in developing services is to guarantee equal access to healthcare services that are suited to the patients’ needs. Previous studies have shown that the Roma are more likely to experience unjust treatment in health services than the general population. This study examines the association between perceived unjust treatment in healthcare and self-assessed unmet need for primary care provided by general practitioners (GPs) and nurses among the Finnish Roma. The data from the Finnish Roma Wellbeing Study (Roosa), conducted in 2017–2018, were used. Snowball sampling was used in recruiting study participants (n = 365, 61% women). Logistic regression was used to test the association between perceived unjust treatment and unmet need for primary care. Confounders used were gender, age, marital status, education, employment, and self-rated health. Those who had experienced unjust treatment in healthcare were more likely to report unmet need for care provided by GPs (odds ratios (OR) = 6.44; p < 0.001) and nurses (OR = 11.18; p < 0.001) than those who felt that they had been treated justly. This association remained after adjustments for the confounders. Bidirectional guidance between the Roma and service providers should be improved and the Roma communities involved in service development using participatory methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riikka Lämsä
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence:
| | - Anu E. Castaneda
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (A.E.C.); (A.W.); (M.L.); (P.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Anneli Weiste
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (A.E.C.); (A.W.); (M.L.); (P.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Marianne Laalo
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (A.E.C.); (A.W.); (M.L.); (P.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Päivikki Koponen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (A.E.C.); (A.W.); (M.L.); (P.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Hannamaria Kuusio
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (A.E.C.); (A.W.); (M.L.); (P.K.); (H.K.)
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10
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Ten Kate RLF, Bilecen B, Steverink N. A Closer Look at Loneliness: Why Do First-Generation Migrants Feel More Lonely Than Their Native Dutch Counterparts? THE GERONTOLOGIST 2020; 60:291-301. [PMID: 31944240 PMCID: PMC7039375 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnz192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Along with the current aging demographics in the Netherlands, the number of older first-generation migrants is also increasing. Despite studies suggesting a higher quantity of social contacts of migrants, loneliness is more common among migrants as compared to native Dutch. We theorize that migrants experience more emotional and social loneliness due to a lower satisfaction with social relationships and lower participation in social activities, respectively, compared to their native counterparts. Research Design and Methods We use data from Statistics Netherlands (N = 7,920) with first-generation migrants aged 40 years and older and their Dutch counterparts. Contact frequency, household composition, satisfaction with social relationships, relationship quality with the partner, and social activities, are used as main predictors and separate regression models for social and emotional loneliness are analyzed. Results Compared to the native Dutch, first-generation migrants are both socially and emotionally more lonely. Migrants have a similar contact frequency as the native Dutch, but are less satisfied with their social relationships, which contributes to their higher emotional, social, and overall loneliness. Migrants engage less in social activities but this does not put them at additional risk of loneliness. Discussion and Implications Migrants experience more social and emotional loneliness and are less satisfied with their social relationships compared to their native counterparts. Interventions should focus on reducing both social and emotional loneliness among older migrants. Specific attention should be paid to fostering satisfying social interactions. Additionally, encouraging migrants to broaden their social network may reduce social loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Başak Bilecen
- Department of Sociology/ICS, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.,Center on Migration, Citizenship and Development, Bielefeld University, Germany
| | - Nardi Steverink
- Department of Sociology/ICS, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Health Psychology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Escamilla S, Saasa S. Gendered Patterns in Depression and Anxiety among African Immigrants in the United States. JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE-BASED SOCIAL WORK (2019) 2020; 17:392-405. [PMID: 32692639 DOI: 10.1080/26408066.2020.1748153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study sought to examine gendered variations in determinants of depression and anxiety symptoms among African immigrants in the United States. METHODS Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of first and second-generation immigrants from African countries living in the United States (N = 409). RESULTS Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression results revealed gendered differences in factors that influence depression and anxiety symptoms. Second-generation immigrants showed decreased depression and anxiety symptoms among men, while income and marital status showed significant effects on depression and anxiety symptoms for women. Loneliness and discrimination were found to negatively impact the mental health of both female and male immigrants. Additionally, we found that gender did not moderate the effects of loneliness on depression and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION Findings highlight the need for practitioners to better understand the unique risk and protective factors affecting female and male African immigrants in their efforts to provide effective mental health services to members of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sherinah Saasa
- School of Social Work, Brigham Young University , Provo, UT, USA
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Salama ES, Castaneda AE, Lilja E, Suvisaari J, Rask S, Laatikainen T, Niemelä S. Pre-migration traumatic experiences, post-migration perceived discrimination and substance use among Russian and Kurdish migrants-a population-based study. Addiction 2020; 115:1160-1171. [PMID: 31797477 PMCID: PMC7317749 DOI: 10.1111/add.14904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Essi S. Salama
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
- Child PsychiatryTurku University HospitalTurkuFinland
| | - Anu E. Castaneda
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)HelsinkiFinland
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychology and LogopedicsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Eero Lilja
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)HelsinkiFinland
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)HelsinkiFinland
| | - Shadia Rask
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)HelsinkiFinland
| | - Tiina Laatikainen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)HelsinkiFinland
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical NutritionUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
- Joint Municipal Authority for North Karelia Social and Health Services (Siun sote)JoensuuFinland
| | - Solja Niemelä
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
- Addiction Psychiatry UnitTurku University HospitalTurkuFinland
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Kuittinen S, García Velázquez R, Castaneda AE, Punamäki RL, Rask S, Suvisaari J. Construct validity of the HSCL-25 and SCL-90-Somatization scales among Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/17542863.2016.1244213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saija Kuittinen
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Anu E. Castaneda
- Team of Multicultural Wellbeing, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Raija-Leena Punamäki
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Shadia Rask
- Team of Multicultural Wellbeing, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- Team of Multicultural Wellbeing, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Rask S, Suvisaari J, Koskinen S, Koponen P, Mölsä M, Lehtisalo R, Schubert C, Pakaslahti A, Castaneda AE. The ethnic gap in mental health: A population-based study of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland. Scand J Public Health 2015; 44:281-90. [DOI: 10.1177/1403494815619256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aims: Research demonstrates that migrants are more vulnerable to poor mental health than general populations, but population-based studies with distinct migrant groups are scarce. We aim to (1) assess the prevalence of mental health symptoms in Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland; (2) compare the prevalence of mental health symptoms in these migrant groups to the Finnish population; (3) determine which socio-demographic factors are associated with mental health symptoms. Methods: We used data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study and Health 2011 Survey. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), and 1.75 was used as cut-off for clinically significant symptoms. Somatization was measured using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) somatization scale. The age-adjusted prevalence of mental health symptoms in the studied groups was calculated by gender using predicted margins. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which socio-demographic factors are associated with mental health symptoms in the studied population groups. Results: The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was higher in Russian women (24%) and Kurdish men (23%) and women (49%) than in the Finnish population (9–10%). These differences were statistically significant ( p <.001). Socioeconomic disadvantage (e.g. unemployment and poor economic situation) and migration-related factors (e.g. poor language proficiency and short time since migration) significantly increased the odds for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadia Rask
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Koskinen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Mulki Mölsä
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Antti Pakaslahti
- University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
- University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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