Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centres
Objectives: Housing is an important social determinant of health, but the perspectives of asylum seekers and refugees (ASR) in large, centralised reception centres remain under-researched. We therefore sought to examine which housing aspects in reception centres are deemed relevant for health by ASR...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-06-01
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| Series: | SSM: Qualitative Research in Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321524000167 |
| _version_ | 1827223309401456640 |
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| author | Eilin Rast Maren Hintermeier Kayvan Bozorgmehr Louise Biddle |
| author_facet | Eilin Rast Maren Hintermeier Kayvan Bozorgmehr Louise Biddle |
| author_sort | Eilin Rast |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: Housing is an important social determinant of health, but the perspectives of asylum seekers and refugees (ASR) in large, centralised reception centres remain under-researched. We therefore sought to examine which housing aspects in reception centres are deemed relevant for health by ASR in Germany. Methods: Based on 47 interviews with 42 ASR in Germany originating from three different studies, we conducted a secondary qualitative analysis. We mapped interview transcripts onto existing housing frameworks and generated four central themes regarding the relationship between housing and health in reception centres. Results: Housing affected ASR health in four key ways: 1) Material conditions, including crowding, hygiene conditions and inability to secure doors, created and exacerbated physical and mental health issues, 2) the unpredictability and instability of housing impeded integration and disrupted social and professional support networks, 3) through forced residential assignment and limited autonomy, ''homemaking'' is severely constrained, leading to worsened mental health, and 4) reception centres do not make sufficient accommodations for individuals with specific medical needs. Conclusion: This study offers a broad perspective on the relationship between ASR reception centres and health. It is evident that this housing context is not conducive to health. Instead, centralised accommodation facilities exacerbate existing health conditions through excessive overcrowding, insufficient infrastructure and the inability to meet health-related needs. Stressful living environments and frequent transfers further burden psychosocial health by impeding a sense of belonging and comfort and by disrupting social and care networks. Current accommodation policy and practice need to be reconsidered to safeguard the health of ASR. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:53:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9de10b49b01e4329948087d84535925d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2667-3215 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-21T16:52:20Z |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SSM: Qualitative Research in Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-9de10b49b01e4329948087d84535925d2024-06-15T06:14:38ZengElsevierSSM: Qualitative Research in Health2667-32152024-06-015100407Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centresEilin Rast0Maren Hintermeier1Kayvan Bozorgmehr2Louise Biddle3Section Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33501, Bielefeld, GermanySection Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, GermanySection Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33501, Bielefeld, GermanyPopulation Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany; Socio-Economic Panel, German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), Mohrenstraße 58, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Corresponding author. Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.Objectives: Housing is an important social determinant of health, but the perspectives of asylum seekers and refugees (ASR) in large, centralised reception centres remain under-researched. We therefore sought to examine which housing aspects in reception centres are deemed relevant for health by ASR in Germany. Methods: Based on 47 interviews with 42 ASR in Germany originating from three different studies, we conducted a secondary qualitative analysis. We mapped interview transcripts onto existing housing frameworks and generated four central themes regarding the relationship between housing and health in reception centres. Results: Housing affected ASR health in four key ways: 1) Material conditions, including crowding, hygiene conditions and inability to secure doors, created and exacerbated physical and mental health issues, 2) the unpredictability and instability of housing impeded integration and disrupted social and professional support networks, 3) through forced residential assignment and limited autonomy, ''homemaking'' is severely constrained, leading to worsened mental health, and 4) reception centres do not make sufficient accommodations for individuals with specific medical needs. Conclusion: This study offers a broad perspective on the relationship between ASR reception centres and health. It is evident that this housing context is not conducive to health. Instead, centralised accommodation facilities exacerbate existing health conditions through excessive overcrowding, insufficient infrastructure and the inability to meet health-related needs. Stressful living environments and frequent transfers further burden psychosocial health by impeding a sense of belonging and comfort and by disrupting social and care networks. Current accommodation policy and practice need to be reconsidered to safeguard the health of ASR.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321524000167Social determinants of healthHousingAsylum seekers and refugeesQualitative researchContextual effects on health |
| spellingShingle | Eilin Rast Maren Hintermeier Kayvan Bozorgmehr Louise Biddle Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centres SSM: Qualitative Research in Health Social determinants of health Housing Asylum seekers and refugees Qualitative research Contextual effects on health |
| title | Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centres |
| title_full | Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centres |
| title_fullStr | Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centres |
| title_full_unstemmed | Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centres |
| title_short | Housing and health: A multidimensional, qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in German reception centres |
| title_sort | housing and health a multidimensional qualitative analysis of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees living in german reception centres |
| topic | Social determinants of health Housing Asylum seekers and refugees Qualitative research Contextual effects on health |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321524000167 |
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