Qualitative Health Research
Volume 29, Issue 2, 2019, Pages 222-236

Social Resilience and Mental Health Among Eritrean Asylum-Seekers in Switzerland (Article)

Melamed S. , Chernet A. , Labhardt N.D. , Probst-Hensch N. , Pfeiffer C.*
  • a Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • b Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • c Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • d Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • e Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Abstract

Eritreans comprise the largest group of asylum-seekers in Switzerland. Gaining recognized refugee status can take up to 36 months, during which time asylum-seekers live in a state of legal limbo, intensifying threats to their well-being. Resilience and mental health among this population is poorly understood. We interviewed 10 asylum-seekers residing in Switzerland using qualitative, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using the Framework Method. Results indicated that mental health was understood as a binary state rather than a continuum and that trusted friends and family were responsible for recognizing and attempting to treat mental health problems. Pathways to care were potentially interrupted for asylum-seekers. Capital building, considered through the lens of social resilience, consisted of language learning, establishing of new individual- and community-level social networks, and proactive symbolic capital building through volunteering. We contextualize the asylum-seekers’ experience into a resilience framework and offer practical recommendations for improving mental health care access. © The Author(s) 2018.

Author Keywords

Migration Resilience Mental health Eritrea Switzerland asylum-seeker qualitative

Index Keywords

Eritrea refugee mental health service mental health human epidemiology Refugees social network language ethnology Mental Health Services qualitative research interview Young Adult Humans migrant psychology Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants evaluation study Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Resilience, Psychological organization and management Evaluation Studies as Topic psychological resilience adult Social Networking attitude to health Switzerland Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85058656064&doi=10.1177%2f1049732318800004&partnerID=40&md5=086d4d3d007bfd9c73580191ad00479c
DOI: 10.1177/1049732318800004
ISSN: 10497323
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English