Researching the mental health status of asylum seekers: reflections and suggestions for practice

Authors:
BERNARDES Dora, WRIGHT John, LIVINGSTONE Andrew G.
Journal article citation:
Diversity and Equality in Health and Care, 9(3), 2012, pp.201-208.
Publisher:
Insight Medical Publishing

This study investigated aspects of the mental health of asylum seekers who had recently arrived in the UK. It used the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Scale, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, the PTSD Symptom Scale Interview, the Clinical Outcomes Routine Evaluation and in-depth interviews. A total of 29 asylum seekers, 26 of whom were male, representing 13 countries, agreed to take part. Findings revealed that the participants all experienced a feeling of fear and sadness about the uncertainty of their application for asylum, while fear of deportation affected their ability to carry out activities of daily life. Social support was deemed essential in helping them cope with these difficulties. The paper ends with some reflections on the challenges that arose during the investigation, and presents recommendations to help other researchers undertaking similar research.

Subject terms:
mental health problems, asylum seekers, anxiety, depression;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United Kingdom
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
2049-548X
ISSN print:
2049-5471

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