TY - JOUR

T1 - Social Determinants of the Mental Health of Young Migrants

AU - Verelst, An

AU - Spaas, Caroline

AU - Pfeiffer, Elisa

AU - Devlieger, Ines

AU - Kankaapää, Reeta

AU - Peltonen, Kirsi

AU - Vänskä, Mervi

AU - Soye, Emma

AU - Watters, Charles

AU - Osman, Fatumo

AU - Durbeej, Natalie

AU - Sarkadi, Anna

AU - Andersen, Arnfinn

AU - Primdahl, Nina Langer

AU - Derluyn, Ilse

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Background: Young migrants face particular risks to develop mental health problems. Discrimination and social support impact mental health, yet little is known about the differential impact thereof on mental health in newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants. Aim: This study sheds light on mental health (posttraumatic stress, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, emotional distress, peer relationship problems, prosocial behavior) and the overall well-being of newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants. Furthermore, the impact of social support and discrimination on mental health is investigated. Method: Descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were applied to analyze responses of 2,320 adolescents through self-report questionnaires in Finland, Sweden, and the UK. Results: Newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants have different psychological profiles. While newcomers suffer more from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and peer problems, non-newcomers and non-migrants report more hyperactivity. Discrimination strongly threatens all mental health dimensions, while support from family serves as a protective factor. Support from friends has a positive impact on PTSD among newcomers. Limitations: As this study has a cross-sectional design, conclusions about causality cannot be drawn. In addition, history of traumatic life events or migration trajectory was lacking, while it may impact mental health. Conclusion: Different mental health profiles of newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants point to the need for a tailored and diversified approach. Discrimination remains a risk factor for mental health, while family support is a protective factor for adolescents. Interventions that foster social support from friends would be especially beneficial for newcomers.

AB - Background: Young migrants face particular risks to develop mental health problems. Discrimination and social support impact mental health, yet little is known about the differential impact thereof on mental health in newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants. Aim: This study sheds light on mental health (posttraumatic stress, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, emotional distress, peer relationship problems, prosocial behavior) and the overall well-being of newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants. Furthermore, the impact of social support and discrimination on mental health is investigated. Method: Descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were applied to analyze responses of 2,320 adolescents through self-report questionnaires in Finland, Sweden, and the UK. Results: Newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants have different psychological profiles. While newcomers suffer more from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and peer problems, non-newcomers and non-migrants report more hyperactivity. Discrimination strongly threatens all mental health dimensions, while support from family serves as a protective factor. Support from friends has a positive impact on PTSD among newcomers. Limitations: As this study has a cross-sectional design, conclusions about causality cannot be drawn. In addition, history of traumatic life events or migration trajectory was lacking, while it may impact mental health. Conclusion: Different mental health profiles of newcomers, non-newcomer migrants, and non-migrants point to the need for a tailored and diversified approach. Discrimination remains a risk factor for mental health, while family support is a protective factor for adolescents. Interventions that foster social support from friends would be especially beneficial for newcomers.

KW - migration

KW - mental health

KW - newcomer

KW - discrimination

KW - social support

KW - PERCEIVED ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION

KW - PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES

KW - PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS

KW - MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALE

KW - EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

KW - FOLLOW-UP

KW - SUPPORT

KW - REFUGEE

KW - STRESS

KW - BEHAVIORS

U2 - 10.1027/2512-8442/a000097

DO - 10.1027/2512-8442/a000097

M3 - Journal article

VL - 29

SP - 61

EP - 73

JO - European Journal of Health Psychology

JF - European Journal of Health Psychology

SN - 2512-8442

IS - 1

ER -