Lay perceptions of mental health among Afghan forced migrants residing in Finland

: Farahani, Hadi; Martikainen, Jari; Golamrej Eliasi, Laleh; Tavakol, Mohamed; Toikko, Timo

Publisher: Routledge

: 2024

: Social Work in Mental Health

: 22

: 5

: 645

: 674

: 1533-2985

: 1533-2993

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2024.2357357(external)

: https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2024.2357357(external)

: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457046486(external)

This study explores lay perceptions of mental health among Afghan forced migrants in Finland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was used as the method of analysis. The analysis produced two main themes: external symptoms (changes in physical appearance and behavior) and internal symptoms (burdensome feelings and sensations). Participants rarely used explicit mental health terminology, preferring nuanced culture-specific, individual expressions, and indirect communication about stress and trauma. This study contributes to the understanding of Afghan forced migrants’ lay perceptions of mental health and calls for culturally-safe approaches in social work and mental health services for forced migrants.

Lay perceptions of mental health among Afghan forced migrants residing in Finland.pdf

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The work was supported by the Olvi-Säästiö [20210610]; Oskar Öflunds Stiftelse; VERA Centre for Russian and Border Studies [931826]; Itä-Suomen Yliopisto; Kuopio University Foundation.