Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors
Abstract Background Undocumented migrants (UMs) in Europe constitute a heterogeneous group. They are typically in a vulnerable and marginalised situation, since most of them have exhausted their options for gaining asylum and protection from war and persecution, many are traumatised and fear disclos...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6294-8 |
| _version_ | 1818256902773014528 |
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| author | Lena M.C. Andersson Anders Hjern Henry Ascher |
| author_facet | Lena M.C. Andersson Anders Hjern Henry Ascher |
| author_sort | Lena M.C. Andersson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Undocumented migrants (UMs) in Europe constitute a heterogeneous group. They are typically in a vulnerable and marginalised situation, since most of them have exhausted their options for gaining asylum and protection from war and persecution, many are traumatised and fear disclosure and deportation, and they typically lack basic social security. The present study investigates living conditions, access to human rights and mental health of UMs living in Sweden. Methods A cross-sectional study with adult UMs was performed in the three largest cities in Sweden in 2014–2016. Sampling was done via informal networks. A socioeconomic questionnaire was constructed, and psychiatric symptoms were screened for using Beck’s Depression Inventory II, Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and the PTSD Checklist (PCL) for civilians. Trained field workers conducted the interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used. Results A total number of 104 individuals participated. Preliminary findings show that 68% of respondents were suffering from either moderate or severe anxiety, 71% from either moderate or severe depression and 58% from PTSD. No statistically significant gender differences occurred, but age was statistically significant in relation to anxiety and depression. The majority feared returning to their country of origin, for political reasons, due to war in progress there and/or because they belonged to a minority and feared harassment. Almost all had an unstable housing situation and were often forced to move. Fifty-seven percent experienced food insecurity. Conclusion The psychosocial situation among UMs in Sweden, in addition to insecure living conditions without a guarantee of basic needs being met is stressful, and many UMs live in constant fear of disclosure and deportation, all of which has a detrimental effect of the mental health. It is important to understand both associated risk factors for ill-health and coping strategies in this vulnerable population in order try to reduce ongoing stress. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T17:35:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7d583aa15ca84004b299cc746da907b2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T17:35:08Z |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-7d583aa15ca84004b299cc746da907b22022-12-22T00:17:14ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582018-12-011811910.1186/s12889-018-6294-8Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factorsLena M.C. Andersson0Anders Hjern1Henry Ascher2Department of Social Work, University of GothenburgClinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska InstituteDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgAbstract Background Undocumented migrants (UMs) in Europe constitute a heterogeneous group. They are typically in a vulnerable and marginalised situation, since most of them have exhausted their options for gaining asylum and protection from war and persecution, many are traumatised and fear disclosure and deportation, and they typically lack basic social security. The present study investigates living conditions, access to human rights and mental health of UMs living in Sweden. Methods A cross-sectional study with adult UMs was performed in the three largest cities in Sweden in 2014–2016. Sampling was done via informal networks. A socioeconomic questionnaire was constructed, and psychiatric symptoms were screened for using Beck’s Depression Inventory II, Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and the PTSD Checklist (PCL) for civilians. Trained field workers conducted the interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used. Results A total number of 104 individuals participated. Preliminary findings show that 68% of respondents were suffering from either moderate or severe anxiety, 71% from either moderate or severe depression and 58% from PTSD. No statistically significant gender differences occurred, but age was statistically significant in relation to anxiety and depression. The majority feared returning to their country of origin, for political reasons, due to war in progress there and/or because they belonged to a minority and feared harassment. Almost all had an unstable housing situation and were often forced to move. Fifty-seven percent experienced food insecurity. Conclusion The psychosocial situation among UMs in Sweden, in addition to insecure living conditions without a guarantee of basic needs being met is stressful, and many UMs live in constant fear of disclosure and deportation, all of which has a detrimental effect of the mental health. It is important to understand both associated risk factors for ill-health and coping strategies in this vulnerable population in order try to reduce ongoing stress.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6294-8Undocumented migrantsMental healthSweden |
| spellingShingle | Lena M.C. Andersson Anders Hjern Henry Ascher Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors BMC Public Health Undocumented migrants Mental health Sweden |
| title | Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors |
| title_full | Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors |
| title_fullStr | Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors |
| title_short | Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors |
| title_sort | undocumented adult migrants in sweden mental health and associated factors |
| topic | Undocumented migrants Mental health Sweden |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6294-8 |
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