Socioeconomic status and primary health service use for mental health problems among immigrants with short and long lengths of stay. Issue 2 (13th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Straiton, Melanie Lindsay; Reneflot, Anne; Diaz, Esperanza
• Is Part Of: International journal of migration, health and social care. Volume 12:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2016-06-13
• Subjects: Socioeconomic status -- Health inequalities -- Health care service use -- Immigrant mental health; Emigration and immigration -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Social work with immigrants -- Periodicals; Immigrants -- Services for -- Periodicals; Immigrants -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Refugees -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 362.87
• DOI: 10.1108/IJMHSC-01-2015-0001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-9894

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – High socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with better health and lower use of health care services in the general population. Among immigrants, the relationship appears less consistent. The purpose of this paper is to determine if the relationship between income level (a proxy for SES) and use of primary health care services for mental health problems differs for natives and five immigrant groups in Norway. It also explores the moderating effect of length of stay (LoS) among immigrants. Design/methodology/approach: – Using data from two registers with national-level coverage, logistic regression analyses with interactions were carried out to determine the association between income level and having used primary health care services for mental health problems. Findings: – For Norwegian men and women there was a clear negative relationship between income and service use. Interaction analyses suggested that the relationship differed for all immigrant groups compared with Norwegians. When stratifying by LoS, income was not associated with service use among recently arrived immigrants but was negatively associated among immigrants staying more than two years (with the exception of Pakistani and Iraqi women). Research limitations/implications: – Country of origin and LoS should be considered when applying measures of SES in immigrant health research. Social implications: – There may be an initial transition period for recently arrived immigrants where competing factors mask the association between SES and service use. Originality/value: – This study benefits from nationwide coverage, eliminating self-selection biases. It demonstrates the complexity of the relationship between SES and health care use.