Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research
Volume 46, Issue 1, 2019, Pages 80-98

Trauma, Psychosocial Factors, and Help-Seeking in Three Immigrant Groups in Finland (Article)

Schubert C.C.* , Punamäki R.-L. , Suvisaari J. , Koponen P. , Castaneda A.
  • a Faculty of Social Sciences, Psychology, University of Tampere, Tampere, FI-33014, Finland
  • b Faculty of Social Sciences, Psychology, University of Tampere, Tampere, FI-33014, Finland
  • c National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • d National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • e National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland

Abstract

Multiple psychosocial factors influence help-seeking behavior among immigrants, but studies have focused on separate issues in single cultural groups. This study tested a model of help-seeking behavior among three ethnically different immigrant groups. Participants were 1356 Somali, Russian, and Kurdish immigrants (18–64 years). They reported past traumatic events, social network, acculturation indices, trust in services, and mental health as well as usage of mental and somatic health services. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with multigroup procedure was applied. First, past traumatic events were associated with seeking more mental health services, indirectly mediated through increased risk for mental health problems in all three ethnic groups. Second, acculturation played a significant role in the use of mental and somatic health services only in Kurds and social networks in Kurds and Russians. The unique culturally influenced dynamics in help-seeking behavior should be considered in the development of health services. © 2018, National Council for Behavioral Health.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Russia Finland mental health service human middle aged Mental Health Services ethnology Mental Disorders Cross-Sectional Studies mental disease interview Young Adult cross-sectional study migrant psychology Humans Adolescent Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female cultural factor help seeking behavior adult Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders posttraumatic stress disorder Somalia Help-Seeking Behavior Russian Federation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041929854&doi=10.1007%2fs11414-018-9587-x&partnerID=40&md5=3a44b53868bd1b6ccea5a8b01fc6b339
DOI: 10.1007/s11414-018-9587-x
ISSN: 10943412
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English