The Association between Discrimination and Psychological and Social Well-being: A Population-based Study of Russian, Somali and Kurdish Migrants in Finland. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castaneda, Anu E.; Rask, Shadia; Koponen, Päivikki; Suvisaari, Jaana; Koskinen, Seppo; Härkänen, Tommi; Mannila, Simo; Laitinen, Kari; Jukarainen, Pirjo; Jasinskaja-Lahti, Inga
• Other Names: Thapa Komilla guest-editor.; Kumar Rashmi guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Psychology and developing societies. Volume 27:Number 2(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Discrimination -- mental health -- social well-being -- migrant -- population-based study -- Maamu study; Psychology -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Social conditions -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 150.9172405
• DOI: 10.1177/0971333615594054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0971-3336

Abstract

Background: Discrimination is known to negatively affect the psychological well-being of migrants. Less is known on the association between discrimination and social well-being. Aim: We examined the association between experienced discrimination and psychological (mental health, quality of life) and social well-being (loneliness, feelings of safety, trust towards society) in Russian, Somali and Kurdish migrants in Finland. Methods: We used data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu). The participants comprised 1795 persons of Russian, Somali or Kurdish origin aged 18–64 years. Experiences of discrimination, loneliness, safety and trust towards society were measured using interview questions. Mental health symptoms were measured using the HSCL-25 and quality of life using EUROHIS-QOL. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between discrimination and psychological and social well-being, separately for the three ethnic groups. Results: Discrimination increased the odds for mental health symptoms and decreased the odds for quality of life among Russian and Kurdish migrants, but not Somalis. Discrimination was associated with feeling unsafe and decreased trust towards society among all migrants. Among Kurds, discrimination increased the odds also for loneliness. Conclusions: Discrimination is an essential threat to the psychological and social well-being of Russian, Somali or Kurdish migrants.