Ethnic and religious discrimination: the multifaceted role of religiosity and collective self-esteem

Perceived post-migration discrimination: the perspective of adolescents with migration background

Discrimination has a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing of persons affected. The aim of the present study was to investigate perceived discrimination of migrant adolescents. Focus groups with migrant adolescents were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed using the manifest qualitative content analysis by Mayring. The foci of interest (persons discriminated against and by whom, where and how the discrimination took place, which behavioral and emotional reactions the affected persons showed to the experiences and which reasons they assumed for the discrimination) were determined based on the pre-defined guideline, and inductive subcategories were extracted from the transcripts and grouped into main categories. Five focus groups with students with migration background (n = 35, 13 females, mean age: 18.78, SD = 2.26, range 16-24) were conducted. The adolescents in our focus groups and their acquaintances (families and friends) experienced discrimination in Germany in several forms (verbal and non-verbal), places and on an individual as well as institutional level, with an impact on their emotional well-being. To combat discrimination, culturally sensitive information must be provided on the part of those affected as well as their perpetrators.

Neural Representation of Collective Self-esteem in Resting-state Functional Connectivity and its Validation in Task-dependent Modality

INTRODUCTION

Collective self-esteem (CSE) is an important personality variable, defined as self-worth derived from membership in social groups. A study explored the neural basis of CSE using a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm; however, task-independent neural basis of CSE remains to be explored, and whether the CSE neural basis of resting-state fMRI is consistent with that of task-based fMRI is unclear.

METHODS

We built support vector regression (SVR) models to predict CSE scores using topological metrics measured in the resting-state functional connectivity network (RSFC) as features. Then, to test the reliability of the SVR analysis, the activation pattern of the identified brain regions from SVR analysis was used as features to distinguish collective self-worth from other conditions by multivariate pattern classification in task-based fMRI dataset.

RESULTS

SVR analysis results showed that leverage centrality successfully decoded the individual differences in CSE. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate gyrus, precuneus, orbitofrontal cortex, posterior insula, postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, temporoparietal junction, and inferior frontal gyrus, which are involved in self-referential processing, affective processing, and social cognition networks, participated in this prediction. Multivariate pattern classification analysis found that the activation pattern of the identified regions from the SVR analysis successfully distinguished collective self-worth from relational self-worth, personal self-worth and semantic control.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed CSE neural basis in the whole-brain RSFC network, and established the concordance between leverage centrality and the activation pattern (evoked during collective self-worth task) of the identified regions in terms of representing CSE.

Mental Health of Refugee and Non-refugee Migrant Young People in European Secondary Education: The Role of Family Separation, Daily Material Stress and Perceived Discrimination in Resettlement

While scholarly literature indicates that both refugee and non-refugee migrant young people display increased levels of psychosocial vulnerability, studies comparing the mental health of the two groups remain scarce. This study aims to further the existing evidence by examining refugee and non-refugee migrants' mental health, in relation to their migration history and resettlement conditions. The mental health of 883 refugee and 483 non-refugee migrants (mean age 15.41, range 11-24, 45.9% girls, average length of stay in the host country 3.75 years) in five European countries was studied in their relation to family separation, daily material stress and perceived discrimination in resettlement. All participants reported high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Family separation predicted post-trauma and internalizing behavioral difficulties only in refugees. Daily material stress related to lower levels of overall well-being in all participants, and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behavioral difficulties in refugees. Perceived discrimination was associated with increased levels of mental health problems for refugees and non-refugee migrants. The relationship between perceived discrimination and post-traumatic stress symptoms in non-refugee migrants, together with the high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms in this subsample, raises important questions on the nature of trauma exposure in non-refugee migrants, as well as the ways in which experiences of discrimination may interact with other traumatic stressors in predicting mental health.

Collective identity, social adversity and college student sympathy for violent radicalization

Identity issues have been at the forefront in studies on determinants of youth violent radicalization. Identity uncertainty and identity fusion appear to be associated with quests for meaning, which may find some answers in extremist discourses and radical engagements. This process has been considered to be particularly important for second-generation migrants who have to negotiate multiple identities, sometimes in situations of social adversity. This paper aims to understand the relations between collective identity, social adversity (discrimination and exposure to violence), and sympathy for violent radicalization in College students in Quebec. This mixed-method study consisted of a large online survey conducted at eight colleges in Quebec. Multilevel analysis accounted for the clustered nature of data while generalized additive mixed models were used to study nonlinear relations. Results highlight the complex associations between collective identity and youth sympathy for violent radicalization. They confirm that negative public representations of minority communities may lead to more sympathy for violent radicalization. Although results suggest that strong enough identities can act as protective anchorages for youth, they also indicate that when collective identity becomes too central in personal identity this may accentuate othering processes and legitimize violence toward the out-group. These results have implications for prevention programs. They indicate that improving the public image of minority communities through mainstream media or the social media may increase youth public self-esteem and decrease their sympathy for violent radicalization. They also invite the education field to foster the development of strong plural identities.

Serious psychological distress: A national study of Middle Eastern immigrants

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: There is very limited literature on the health of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, and the available studies were mostly conducted on small convenient samples in local communities. There is also a need to understand changes in the rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) during the 15 years after 2001, as there were negative effects on Arabs' health since the September 2001 aftermath. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The study examined the rates of SPD, the risk of SPD and its associated factors in a national sample of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States from 2001 to 2015. The study found that serious psychological distress rate was high among Middle Eastern immigrants. Being a female and having obesity were associated with a higher risk of reporting serious psychological distress among this population. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: These outcomes necessitate mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrants For example, developing community-based prevention programmes is required to address risk factors of psychological distress and to increase awareness about psychological distress among Middle Eastern immigrants. ABSTRACT: Introduction While Middle Eastern immigrants are a fast-growing population in the United States, there is very limited literature on their mental health. Most of the available studies were conducted on small convenient samples in local communities. Aims To examine rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) and its associated factors among Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, compared with US-born, non-Hispanic Whites. Methods Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2001 to 2015 were analysed. The survey included 1,246 Middle Eastern immigrants and 232,392 US-born, non-Hispanic Whites. SPD was measured by the Kessler-6 psychological distress scale. Survey analysis procedures, sampling weights and variance estimates were conducted. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were employed to examine differences and factors associated with SPD. Results SPD rate was the highest among Middle Eastern immigrants (5.99%) between 2006 and 2010. Among Middle Eastern immigrants, being female and obese were significantly associated with a higher risk of SPD. Discussion Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States suffered high rates of SPD. Gender and obesity were factors associated with SPD risk. Implications These outcomes indicate the need for mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrants, such as developing community-based prevention programmes.

Intervention en contexte de radicalisation menant à la violence : une approche clinique multidisciplinaire

Ce manuscrit propose une première description d’un travail clinique spécialisé au regard de la radicalisation menant à la violence au Canada. Une équipe clinique multidisciplinaire rattachée à un programme de santé mentale et de soins de première ligne à Montréal offre depuis juillet 2016 un service de consultation spécialisée pour soutenir des partenaires sur l’ensemble du territoire du Québec. Cet article décrit l’approche de l’équipe, l’organisation de l’offre de service et documente à travers des vignettes cliniques les principales catégories de problèmes sociaux et cliniques pour lesquels l’équipe fut sollicitée durant sa première année de fonctionnement. Nos observations préliminaires confirment la pertinence d’une évaluation pluridisciplinaire fondée sur une approche systémique du phénomène de la radicalisation violente, pour appréhender les différents facteurs sociaux, familiaux et individuels qui influencent les manifestations de ce phénomène, et déterminer la nature des interventions psychosociales et/ou psychiatriques pertinentes. La présentation des cas cliniques propose aux intervenants sociaux, communautaires et en santé mentale des pistes d’intervention et une compréhension du phénomène de radicalisation violente tel qu’il se présente dans les réseaux de la santé, de la protection de la jeunesse et de l’éducation au Québec.

Islamophobia, Health, and Public Health: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

In 2017, a "Muslim ban" on immigrants to the United States was coupled with a continued rise in Islamophobia and hate crimes toward Muslims. Islamophobia undermines health equity, yet delineating the effects of Islamophobia globally is challenging as it affects a myriad of groups (geographically, racially, and socially). Additionally, stereotypes equate all Muslims with populations from the Middle East and South Asia. To date, health research pays insufficient attention to Islamophobia, Muslims, and those racialized to be Muslim.

OBJECTIVES

This literature review advances our understanding of racism and health by examining the racialization of religion, by specifically examining Islamophobia as a form of discrimination.

SEARCH METHODS

Per PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a search in October 2017 using PubMed-MEDLINE and a combination of terms. We identified additional articles using other search engines. For inclusion, articles needed to include a descriptor of discrimination, contain an identifier of Muslim or Muslim-like identity (i.e., groups commonly perceived as Muslim, including Arabs, Middle Easterners, North Africans, and South Asians), include a health outcome, be in English, and be published between 1990 and 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We identified 111 unique peer-reviewed articles. We excluded articles that did not meet the following criteria: (1) examined Islamophobia, discrimination, or racism among a Muslim or Muslim-like population; (2) included a health outcome or discussion of health disparities; and (3) was conducted in North America, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand. This yielded 53 articles.

RESULTS

The majority of studies (n = 34; 64%) were quantitative. The remaining studies were qualitative (n = 7; 13%), mixed methods (n = 2; 4%), or reviews (n = 10; 19%). Most studies were based in the United States (n = 31; 58%). Nearly half of the reviewed studies examined mental health (n = 24; 45%), and one fourth examined physical health or health behaviors (n = 13; 25%). Others focused on both physical and mental health (n = 10; 19%) or health care seeking (n = 7; 13%). Studies showed associations between Islamophobia and poor mental health, suboptimal health behaviors, and unfavorable health care-seeking behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study elucidates the associations between Islamophobia, health, and socioecological determinants of health. Future studies should examine the intersectional nature of Islamophobia and include validated measures, representative samples, subgroup analyses, and comparison groups. More methodologically rigorous studies of Islamophobia and health are needed. Public Health Implications. Addressing the discrimination-related poor health that Muslims and racialized Muslim-like subgroups experience is central to the goals of health equity and assurance of the fundamental right to health.

Prevalence and factors associated with PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms in Haitian migrants in southern Brazil

BACKGROUND

Prevalence rates of mental health disorders in migrants are controversial. The socio-historical and economic background of the host country may play an important role in the mental health status of migrants. As studies are mostly conducted in developed countries, researching migration in developing countries may add important information to scientific literature.

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression symptoms in Haitian migrants in southern Brazil.

METHODS

The sample comprises 66 participants selected from four different sites in three cities of a Brazilian southern state. Participants fulfilled a sociodemographic questionnaire, as well as instruments investigate traumatic events; post-migration difficulties and symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression. Linear regression models were utilized to investigate factors associated with PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms.

RESULTS

PTSD prevalence in the sample was 9.1%. Depression and anxiety symptoms were in the clinical range of 10.6%-13.6% of participants, respectively. A number of traumatic events, acculturation difficulties, discrimination and low social support were associated with the investigated mental health disorders.

CONCLUSION

The results point to the importance of public policies in promoting better social and mental health support for migrants. Providing information to the Brazilian population about migration may improve receptiveness in the host society.

Mental health among older refugees: the role of trauma, discrimination, and religiousness

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine, first, how past traumatic stress and present acculturation indices, and discrimination are associated with mental health; and, second, whether religiousness can buffer the mental health from negative impacts of war trauma.

METHOD

Participants were 128 older (50-80 years) Somali refugees living in Finland. They reported experiences of war trauma and childhood adversities, and filled-in questionnaires of perceived ethnic discrimination, religiousness (beliefs, attendance, and observance of Islamic faith), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive (BDI-21), psychological distress (GHQ-12), and somatization (SCL-90).

RESULTS

Symptom-specific regression models showed that newly arrived refugees with non-permanent legal status and severe exposures to war trauma, childhood adversity, and discrimination endorsed greater PTSD symptoms, while only war trauma and discrimination were associated with depressive symptoms. Results confirmed that high religiousness could play a buffering role among older Somalis, as exposure to severe war trauma was not associated with high levels of PTSD or somatization symptoms among highly religious refugees.

CONCLUSION

Health care should consider both unique past and present vulnerabilities and resources when treating refugees, and everyday discrimination and racism should be regarded as health risks.

Influence of religious aspects and personal beliefs on psychological behavior: focus on anxiety disorders

The current paper presents literature relevant to the relationship of religiosity, spirituality, and personal beliefs with mental health and, in particular, anxiety disorders as an empirical narrative review, providing an overview on the most important and clinically relevant research results on the topic. The relationship between religiosity/spirituality, personal beliefs (ie, magical ideation and paranormal beliefs), and mental health has lately been studied extensively, and results have indicated significant associations among these variables. However, scientific approaches to this field are complex and multidimensional, partly leading to poor operationalization, incomparable data, and contradictory results. Literature demonstrates that higher religiosity/spirituality and magical ideation scores have often been associated with increased obsessive–compulsive traits. Similar results could not be confidently replicated for other anxiety disorders. However, it is still unclear if these differences suggest a specific association with obsessive–compulsive traits and reflect deviating etiopathogenetic and cognitive aspects between obsessive–compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders, or if these results are biased through other factors. Religiosity/spirituality and personal beliefs constitute important parameters of human experience and deserve greater consideration in the psychotherapeutic treatment of psychiatric disorders.