TY - JOUR
T1 - Somali refugees in urban neighborhoods
T2 - an eco-social study of mental health and wellbeing
AU - Kienzler, Hanna
AU - Ermansons, Guntars
AU - Schofield, Peter
N1 - Funding Information:
The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was supported by UK Medical Research Council, grant number: MR/S025510/1. Acknowledgments
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Ermansons, Kienzler and Schofield.
PY - 2024/2/19
Y1 - 2024/2/19
N2 - Background: Impact of pre-migration trauma and post-migration settlement on refugee mental health and wellbeing is well-documented. However, little research has focused on the specific places where refugees settle and spend their daily lives within the post-migration context. This study adopts an eco-social perspective to explore the relationship between urban neighborhoods and refugee mental health and wellbeing. Methods: We conducted twenty-six qualitative interviews with Somali refugees in London and Bristol in the UK. The transcripts were coded using an inductive approach and analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Somali refugees navigate a complex urban environment comprising various neighborhood features which include important places near home, interactions with neighbors, and community spaces. While these features afford them resources to improve mental health and wellbeing, they also present challenges such as high urban density, exposure to violence or discrimination, and neighborhood disorder. Conclusion: The societal and physical features of urban neighborhoods intersect with refugee experiences of adversity, trauma and stress over time. As eco-social niches, urban neighborhoods are both accommodating, safe and familiar, as well as alien, threatening and unwelcoming. To support mental health and wellbeing and ensure successful settlement, it is essential to recognize the agency of refugees and provide continuous support throughout the entire asylum process and after, ensuring stable and safe living conditions.
AB - Background: Impact of pre-migration trauma and post-migration settlement on refugee mental health and wellbeing is well-documented. However, little research has focused on the specific places where refugees settle and spend their daily lives within the post-migration context. This study adopts an eco-social perspective to explore the relationship between urban neighborhoods and refugee mental health and wellbeing. Methods: We conducted twenty-six qualitative interviews with Somali refugees in London and Bristol in the UK. The transcripts were coded using an inductive approach and analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Somali refugees navigate a complex urban environment comprising various neighborhood features which include important places near home, interactions with neighbors, and community spaces. While these features afford them resources to improve mental health and wellbeing, they also present challenges such as high urban density, exposure to violence or discrimination, and neighborhood disorder. Conclusion: The societal and physical features of urban neighborhoods intersect with refugee experiences of adversity, trauma and stress over time. As eco-social niches, urban neighborhoods are both accommodating, safe and familiar, as well as alien, threatening and unwelcoming. To support mental health and wellbeing and ensure successful settlement, it is essential to recognize the agency of refugees and provide continuous support throughout the entire asylum process and after, ensuring stable and safe living conditions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85186425247&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1307509
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1307509
M3 - Article
SN - 1664-0640
VL - 15
JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry
JF - Frontiers in Psychiatry
M1 - 1307509
ER -
