International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

14 pages, 322 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Barriers Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Refugee Mothers: A Critical Ethnography in Saskatchewan, Canada

by Shela Akbar Ali Hirani

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040398 - 25 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1291

Refugee mothers are vulnerable to cultural stereotyping and socioeconomic hardships when they migrate to a new country. This vulnerability often has a negative impact on refugee mothers’ breastfeeding practices. Saskatchewan is one of the growing provinces in Canada that has a noticeable increase [...] Read more.

Refugee mothers are vulnerable to cultural stereotyping and socioeconomic hardships when they migrate to a new country. This vulnerability often has a negative impact on refugee mothers’ breastfeeding practices. Saskatchewan is one of the growing provinces in Canada that has a noticeable increase in refugee population with young children and limited availability of healthcare settings with baby-friendly status. Considering existing gaps in knowledge, this critical ethnographic study aimed to explore barriers that impede the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers in Saskatchewan. After seeking ethics approval, data were collected using multiple methods, including in-depth interviews undertaken with 27 refugee mothers with young children of age range 1 day to 24 months, a review of media communications and field observations of community-based services/facilities available to refugee mothers. Findings suggest that psychosocial barriers, healthcare barriers, environmental barriers, and maternal and child health-related barriers impede the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers in Saskatchewan. Breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers can be promoted through healthcare support, culturally appropriate services, interpretation services in healthcare settings, implementation of baby-friendly initiatives, hospital and community-based breastfeeding campaigns, and follow-up services. Collaborative efforts by healthcare settings, healthcare providers, policymakers, public health agencies, service providers, and governments are essential to support the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

10 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Working Together to Support Self-Determination for Tāngata Kāpō (Blind and Low Vision) Māori: An Exemplar

by Bridgette Masters-Awatere, Rebekah Graham and Chrissie Cowan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030343 - 14 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1725

Abstract

This paper addresses the marginalisation of tāngata kāpō Māori (blind and low-vision Indigenous New Zealanders) in health- and vision-related research, despite New Zealand’s commitments to international conventions. Utilising a pūrākau-based approach, it challenges existing colonial narratives and emphasises the importance of Māori perspectives. [...] Read more.

This paper addresses the marginalisation of tāngata kāpō Māori (blind and low-vision Indigenous New Zealanders) in health- and vision-related research, despite New Zealand’s commitments to international conventions. Utilising a pūrākau-based approach, it challenges existing colonial narratives and emphasises the importance of Māori perspectives. We advocate for Māori self-determination over research processes. This paper shares insights from a systematic review and the development of a declaration for engaging with tāngata kāpō Māori, reflecting the 3-year collaborative process. The Materials and Methods section details a Kaupapa Māori-grounded data collection, prioritising relationships and cultural practices. Feedback loops with participants and forums ensure accurate representation. In conclusion, the study underscores NZ government obligations and presents the “3Rs” framework—relationships, respect, and reciprocity—as essential for meaningful research engagements with tāngata kāpō Māori. The findings contribute valuable insights to guide future research practices, advocating for the inclusion and recognition of tāngata kāpō Māori rights in practice and research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

18 pages, 3165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Trauma- and Violence-Informed Pregnancy Care for Karen Women of Refugee Background: A Community-Based Participatory Study

by Shadow Toke, Ignacio Correa-Velez and Elisha Riggs

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030254 - 22 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1623

Abstract

Women of refugee background experience poorer perinatal outcomes when compared to their local-born counterparts. Women of refugee background have often experienced trauma and are likely to encounter barriers to accessing health services in host countries which can exacerbate their recovery from trauma and [...] Read more.

Women of refugee background experience poorer perinatal outcomes when compared to their local-born counterparts. Women of refugee background have often experienced trauma and are likely to encounter barriers to accessing health services in host countries which can exacerbate their recovery from trauma and contribute to poor health outcomes. Trauma- and violence-informed approaches to care offer opportunities to address barriers to pregnancy care which may, in turn, improve these poor outcomes. Trauma- and violence-informed care is a framework that acknowledges a person’s experiences of trauma, recognises its impact and symptoms, and works toward resisting re-traumatisation by integrating knowledge into practice. Despite this, trauma- and violence-informed care in maternity care settings has rarely been explored from the perspectives of women of refugee background. This study aimed to explore trauma- and violence-informed pregnancy care from the perspectives of Karen women of refugee background using Community-Based Participatory Research methods. The lead researcher is a Karen–Australian woman with lived refugee experience. A Community Advisory Group was formed to support the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven Karen women of refugee background who had recently had a baby in Western metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. The data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Karen women shared what they considered to be important elements of trauma- and violence-informed pregnancy care. Three major elements were identified: (1) care design and accessibility; (2) promoting choice and control; and (3) trauma-informed interpreting. The critical importance of the interpreter-mediated setting was highlighted as women reported that they may not experience trauma- and violence-informed maternity care if they cannot access an interpreter or their relationship with the interpreter is unsafe. This study offers critical insights regarding the elements of trauma- and violence-informed pregnancy care that are important to Karen women of refugee background. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

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18 pages, 397 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19 and (Im)migrant Carers in Italy: The Production of Carer Precarity

by Senyo Dotsey, Audrey Lumley-Sapanski and Maurizio Ambrosini

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126108 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2341

Abstract

This article explores the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on foreign health workers in Italy. Focusing on caregivers in Lombardia, we explore what we call carer precarity, an emergent form of precarity resulting from pandemic restrictions exacerbating existing socio-legal vulnerabilities. The duality of the [...] Read more.

This article explores the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on foreign health workers in Italy. Focusing on caregivers in Lombardia, we explore what we call carer precarity, an emergent form of precarity resulting from pandemic restrictions exacerbating existing socio-legal vulnerabilities. The duality of the carer role—complete household and societal reliance in addition to simultaneous socio-legal marginalization—shapes their precarity. Utilizing data from 44 qualitative interviews with migrant care workers in live-in and daycare facilities that were conducted prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, we demonstrate how the migrant populations working in the care sector were particularly adversely affected due to their migratory status and working conditions. Migrants are excluded from or have differential access to a range of benefits or entitlements and are employed in undervalued work. Workers with live-in employment experienced tiered access to benefits plus the spatiality of restrictions, resulting in their near-complete confinement. Drawing on Gardner (2022) and Butler’s (2009) conceptualizations of precarity, we describe the emergence of a new form of pandemic-induced spatial precarity for migrant care workers at the nexus of gendered labor, limited mobility, and the spatiality of and a hierarchy of rights associated with migratory status. The findings have implications for healthcare policy and migration scholarship. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

14 pages, 370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Migrant Women in Shantytowns in Southern Spain: A Qualitative Study

by Fernando Jesús Plaza del Pino, Lucía Muñoz Lucena, Nadia Azougagh, Ana Gómez Haro, Belén Álvarez Puga, Silvia Navarro-Prado and María Jesús Cabezón-Fernández

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5524; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085524 - 14 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1834

Abstract

The increase in intensive agriculture in Southern Spain, and the increasing need for migrant women, has led to the appearance of numerous shantytowns alongside greenhouses. In the last few years, the number of women who live in them has increased. This qualitative study [...] Read more.

The increase in intensive agriculture in Southern Spain, and the increasing need for migrant women, has led to the appearance of numerous shantytowns alongside greenhouses. In the last few years, the number of women who live in them has increased. This qualitative study delves into the experiences and future expectations of migrant women who live in shantytowns. Thirteen women who live in shantytowns in Southern Spain were interviewed. Results: Four themes emerged: dreams vs. reality, life in the settlements, worse for women, and “the papers”. Discussion and Conclusions. Priority should be given to the care of women who live in shantytowns with specific programs; society must work to end these shantytowns and facilitate agricultural workers with access to housing; it is necessary to allow the resident registration of the people who live in shantytowns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

15 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Ambiguous Loss Inventory Plus (ALI+): Introduction of a Measure of Psychological Reactions to the Disappearance of a Loved One

by Hannah Comtesse, Clare Killikelly, Sophie M. C. Hengst, Lonneke I. M. Lenferink, Simone M. de la Rie, Paul A. Boelen and Geert E. Smid

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5117; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065117 - 14 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2426

Abstract

Background: The disappearance of a significant person is an ambiguous loss due to the persistent uncertainty about the whereabouts of the person. Measures specifically capturing the psychological consequences of ambiguous loss are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to develop the Ambiguous Loss Inventory [...] Read more.

Background: The disappearance of a significant person is an ambiguous loss due to the persistent uncertainty about the whereabouts of the person. Measures specifically capturing the psychological consequences of ambiguous loss are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to develop the Ambiguous Loss Inventory Plus (ALI+) and evaluated its suitability for use with relatives of missing persons. Methods: ALI+ items were generated based on established measures for prolonged grief symptoms and literature on psychological responses to ambiguous loss. Eight relatives of missing persons (three refugees, five non-refugees) and seven international experts on ambiguous loss rated all items in terms of understandability and relevance on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very well). Results: On average, the comprehensibility of the items was rated as high (all items ≥ 3.7). Likewise, all items were rated as relevant for the assessment of common responses to the disappearance of a loved one. Only minor changes were made to the wording of the items based on the experts’ feedback. Conclusions: These descriptive results indicate that the ALI+ seems to cover the intended concept, thus showing promising face and content validity. However, further psychometric evaluations of the ALI+ are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

19 pages, 400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Work, Economic, and Remittance Stress and Distress of the COVID-19 Pandemic Containment Policies: The Case of Venezuelan Migrants in Argentina and Chile

by Deisy Del Real, Felipe Crowhurst-Pons and Lizeth Olave

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3569; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043569 - 17 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2319

Abstract

According to the social stress process model, global crises are macro-level stressors that generate physiological stress and psychological distress. However, existing research has not identified immigrants’ COVID-19 containment policy stressors or examined the social stress of sending remittances amid crises. Drawing on in-depth [...] Read more.

According to the social stress process model, global crises are macro-level stressors that generate physiological stress and psychological distress. However, existing research has not identified immigrants’ COVID-19 containment policy stressors or examined the social stress of sending remittances amid crises. Drawing on in-depth longitudinal interviews with 46 Venezuelan immigrants—half before and half during the pandemic—in Chile and Argentina, we identified the COVID-19 containment policies’ stressors. We focused on Venezuelan immigrants because they constitute one of the largest internationally displaced populations, with most migrating within South America. We found that the governmental COVID-19 containment measures in both countries generated four stressors: employment loss, income loss, devaluation of employment status, and inability to send needed remittances. Moreover, sending remittances helped some migrants cope with concerns about loved ones in Venezuela. However, sending remittances became a social stressor when immigrants struggled to simultaneously sustain their livelihoods and send financial support to relatives experiencing hardships in Venezuela. For some immigrants, these adversities generated other stressors (e.g., housing instability) and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Broadly, for immigrants, the stressors of global crises transcend international borders and generate high stress, which strains their psychological well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

13 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The United Nations (UN) Card, Identity, and Negotiations of Health among Rohingya Refugees

by Md Mahbubur Rahman and Mohan J. Dutta

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3385; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043385 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1973

Abstract

Being persecuted and expelled from Myanmar, Rohingya refugees are now distributed throughout the world. The Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia has been a preferred destination for Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar’s state-sponsored genocide and more recently in a bid to change their fates from the [...] Read more.

Being persecuted and expelled from Myanmar, Rohingya refugees are now distributed throughout the world. The Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia has been a preferred destination for Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar’s state-sponsored genocide and more recently in a bid to change their fates from the refugee camps in Bangladesh. Refugees are one of the most vulnerable groups in Malaysia and often face dire circumstances, in which their health and wellbeing are compromised. Amidst a plethora of structural challenges, Rohingya refugees try to claim some of their rights with the aid of the UN card (UNHCR ID cards) in Malaysia. Guided by the culture-centered approach (CCA), this study examined the perspectives and experiences of healthcare among Rohingya refugees while living in Malaysia, now resettled in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The participants’ narratives showed that the UN card not only materialized their refugee status in Malaysia but also offered them a way of living in a world where documents anchor the materiality of health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

21 pages, 560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“It Happened When I Was Connecting to the Community…”: Multiple Pathways to Migrant (Non)Belonging in a New Destination Setting

by Claudia Soto Saavedra, Jane Lilly Lopez, Stacey A. Shaw and Benjamin G. Gibbs

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2172; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032172 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2040

Abstract

Migrants’ sense of belonging in their country and community of residence has direct effects on their health and wellbeing. A diverse set of case studies suggest that legal immigration status plays a primary role in shaping migrants’ opportunities for and experiences of belonging. [...] Read more.

Migrants’ sense of belonging in their country and community of residence has direct effects on their health and wellbeing. A diverse set of case studies suggest that legal immigration status plays a primary role in shaping migrants’ opportunities for and experiences of belonging. Few of these studies, though, have examined belonging for migrants with varied legal immigration statuses living in the same receiving context, limiting our understanding of if and how migrant status interacts with other factors to shape access to belonging for migrants settling in the same host community. To address this gap, we analyze 73 semi-structured interviews with migrants in Utah, USA, to investigate the process and experience of belonging for migrants across permanent, temporary, undocumented, and refugee statuses. While legal immigration status is an important factor shaping (non)belonging, it does not appear to function as a master status for migrant belonging. Rather, we find that legal immigration status works alongside a number of community-level factors—including cultural, social, linguistic, and racial/ethnic factors—to shape belonging for migrants of all immigration statuses. These non-legal, community-level factors emerged as critical features of (non)belonging for many migrants living in Utah. Our findings suggest that, although they cannot change federal immigration policies, local- and state-level governments and organizations can enhance migrants’ access to belonging and wellbeing across many other dimensions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

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14 pages, 391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Perception of Nurses about Migrants after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Close Contact Improves the Relationship

by Paula Berenguel Chacón, Fernando Jesús Plaza del Pino, Brigida Molina-Gallego and María Idoia Ugarte-Gurrutxaga

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1200; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021200 - 10 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1997

Abstract

Nurses have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic a tough professional situation in which they have had to work in a resource-limited context and with a high probability of COVID-19 transmission. In today’s multicultural societies, care for immigrant patients is also included. In our [...] Read more.

Nurses have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic a tough professional situation in which they have had to work in a resource-limited context and with a high probability of COVID-19 transmission. In today’s multicultural societies, care for immigrant patients is also included. In our study, we have delved into the perception of hospital nurses towards migrant people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used a qualitative methodology with a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 nurses. Seven categories emerged and were distributed in the three blocks of the interviews: (a) perception before the pandemic: prejudices make a mark and communication problems; (b) perception after the pandemic: prejudices weaken and communication worsens; and (c) how to improve care: improve communication, more nurses, and no need for training. The approach in the interpersonal relationship between nurses and patients during the pandemic has improved health care. Proposals arise to overcome the language barrier such as the incorporation of intercultural translators-mediators and professionals of foreign origin. There is a lack of awareness of the need for training in cultural competence on the part of the nurses in the study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

15 pages, 373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acculturation, Adaptation, and Health among Croatian Migrants in Austria and Ireland: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Izolda Pristojkovic Suko, Magdalena Holter, Erwin Stolz, Elfriede Renate Greimel and Wolfgang Freidl

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16960; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416960 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1723

Abstract

Since Croatia joined the European Union, majority of the studies on Croatian emigrants have predominantly addressed the reasons for migration and their future predictions. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the sense of coherence, health behavior, acculturation, [...] Read more.

Since Croatia joined the European Union, majority of the studies on Croatian emigrants have predominantly addressed the reasons for migration and their future predictions. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the sense of coherence, health behavior, acculturation, adaptation, perceived health, and quality of life (QoL) in first-generation Croatian migrants living in Austria and Ireland. Our study is the first study that addresses the perceived health and QoL of Croatian migrants since the last emigration wave in 2013. An online survey was conducted in Austria (n = 112) and Ireland (n = 116) using standardized questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted for emigrated Croats to identify the predictors of perceived health and QoL. The analyses revealed that the sense of coherence and psychological adaptation were the strongest predictors of perceived health and QoL in Austria and Ireland. Furthermore, in the environmental domain of QoL, a higher education, higher net income, life in Austria rather than Ireland, better health behavior, higher sense of coherence, and better psychological and sociocultural adaptation explained 55.9% of the variance. Health policies and programs should use the salutogenic model to improve the health-related quality of life and psychological adaptation of Croatian migrants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

12 pages, 350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceptions of Resettled Refugee Congolese Women: Maintaining Cultural Traditions during Resettlement

by Chelsey Kirkland, Na’Tasha Evans, Kamesha Spates and Cedric Mubikayi Kabasele

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16714; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416714 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1724

Abstract

Conflict-displaced refugees have increased significantly globally. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the leading country with refugees in the United States, where many resettle in Ohio. Women refugees are highly vulnerable, yet little literature has focused on them. Furthermore, maintaining cultural traditions can [...] Read more.

Conflict-displaced refugees have increased significantly globally. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the leading country with refugees in the United States, where many resettle in Ohio. Women refugees are highly vulnerable, yet little literature has focused on them. Furthermore, maintaining cultural traditions can provide comfort during the tumultuous resettlement process. Therefore, this study used mixed methods to understand the perceptions of Congolese refugee women on maintaining cultural traditions during resettlement in Ohio. Translator-assisted, orally administered demographic survey and face-to-face interviews were conducted among resettled Congolese refugee women (n = 20) 18 and older, who arrived in the United States from 2011 to 2018, and were currently receiving Ohio resettlement agency assistance. Researchers applied descriptive coding and thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes. Three themes were identified among the resettled Congolese refugee women regarding maintaining cultural traditions in the United States. The three themes comprised (1) clothing and dressing, (2) food, and (3) parenting style. Our work examined resettled refugee Congolese women’s perceptions of maintaining their culture after resettling in Ohio. These study findings could assist community engagers with insights and practical recommendations on supportive services for resettled Congolese women and a deeper understanding of complex acculturative situations facing them during resettlement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

12 pages, 360 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Which Protective Factors Are Associated with the Mental Health of Syrian Students in Germany? A Register-Based Cross-Sectional Study

by Remy Rahim Hosari, Andrea Borho, Eva Morawa and Yesim Erim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16200; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316200 - 3 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1748

Abstract

The aim of this online, register-based cross-sectional study was to investigate the frequency of psychological distress and protective factors among 136 Syrian students in Germany. The survey measured depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event-Scale-6), as well as resources [...] Read more.

The aim of this online, register-based cross-sectional study was to investigate the frequency of psychological distress and protective factors among 136 Syrian students in Germany. The survey measured depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event-Scale-6), as well as resources social support (ENRICHD Social Support Instrument), optimism (Optimism–Pessimism-2 Scale) and religiosity (Duke Religion Index). A total of 26.50% of the sample were female. A total of 38.93% met criteria for clinically relevant depressive respectively generalized anxiety symptoms and 15.72% showed prominent PTSD scores. Participants screened positive for mental distress reported significantly less social support (p = 0.001) and less optimism (p = 0.002) than participants without mental distress. In multiple regression analyses, higher levels of feeling welcome in Germany, social support and intrinsic religiosity were significantly associated with lower levels of depression and generalized anxiety. Significant associations with lower PTSD levels were found with higher levels of social support and optimism. The results show that Syrian students in Germany are more psychologically burdened compared to other Syrian refugee samples, except for PTSD. This suggests that besides the stress caused by flight and trauma, stressors such as studying and social isolation could be considered as additional impediments for mental health and require intervention measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

14 pages, 337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Uncertainty, Existential Immobility and Well-Being: Experiences of Women Seeking Asylum in Norway

by Zubia Willmann-Robleda

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15239; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215239 - 18 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1468

Abstract

In recent years, European countries have made their asylum systems increasingly stricter. Norway has been no exception, taking additional measures to tighten its asylum system to make it less attractive to seek asylum. How does the asylum procedure and living in asylum centres [...] Read more.

In recent years, European countries have made their asylum systems increasingly stricter. Norway has been no exception, taking additional measures to tighten its asylum system to make it less attractive to seek asylum. How does the asylum procedure and living in asylum centres influence psychosocial well-being and, in turn, the prospects of incorporation into a new society? This article identifies the main challenges that a group of women face while seeking asylum and living in asylum centres in Norway, and it explores the influence that these challenges have on their mental health and well-being. To do this, it draws on ethnographic fieldwork conducted during approximately one year (2017–2018) with nine women—of different nationalities, ages and backgrounds—living in asylum centres in Norway. The analysis shows five main elements of the Norwegian asylum and reception system that result in the main challenges that the women deal with during their wait in the asylum centres. These elements are the wait and uncertainty around their asylum application coupled with the inability to influence their circumstances, the limitations to engage in meaningful activities as well as the financial and mobility limitations imposed by the Norwegian authorities. The interconnections of these five elements make the women often feel powerless, unable to influence their circumstances and feel stuck in the present, unable to plan their future, thus, experiencing high levels of uncertainty and existential immobility (Hage 2009). This, in turn, leads to frustration, apathy and even depression in the women, which can have a negative effect on their future incorporation into the Norwegian society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

14 pages, 576 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Control Violence Begins in Adolescent Dating: A Research from Students’ Perception

by Josefina Lozano-Martínez, Irina Sherezade Castillo-Reche, Francisco José Morales-Yago and Francisco Javier Ibáñez-López

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 8974; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19158974 - 23 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1888

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of controlling violence experienced by adolescents in the Region of Murcia, as well as to analyze the patterns and sociodemographic variables involved such as sex, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and country of [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of controlling violence experienced by adolescents in the Region of Murcia, as well as to analyze the patterns and sociodemographic variables involved such as sex, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and country of origin of the families with the consequent cultural background provided. Using a sample of 454 secondary and high school students who completed a survey, the results revealed that 29.96% of the respondents were perpetrators (exerted violence) and 35.68% were victims of at least one dating abuse behavior. Significant differences were found in the occurrence of abuse based on family background, age, and religion. Finally, the results revealed that there were no significant differences in the victimization or perpetration of violence in relation to sex, but the older the victim, the less control exercised in cybernetic media, and the greater the control of the other in relation to family origin, where those from Latin American and African countries showed a greater propensity to control their partners than those of Spanish origin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Diversity, Migrants, Refugees and Health)

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