Psychiatry - Research Publications

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    When a new life is a hard life: the impact of resettlement on themental health of South-Asian migrants in Melbourne
    Munib, Dr Ahmed Mujibur Rahman ( 2007-04)
    This presentation is based on a recently completed PhD research project, which explored the relationship between immigration experiences and mental health within Bangladeshi and Indian individuals residing in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. The researcher conducted individual in-depth interviews with 38 participants from the South-Asian community and examined personal accounts of coping, adjustment and acculturation in a foreign society and the consequent impact on mental health. The study investigated common coping strategies and psychosocial protective mechanisms and also explored factors relevant to both successful and unsuccessful resettlement and their effect on psychological well-being. The researcher interviewed Indian and Bangladeshi-born adult Australian citizens/permanent residents settled in Melbourne, with the assistance of South-Asian community associations in Melbourne. The in-depth interviews were conducted with a qualitative approach, with the focus on immigration experiences and mental health concerns as the principal phenomena to be examined. A qualitative phenomenological design was believed to be more appropriate for exploring the personal experiences and stories of South-Asian migrants, and the psychological consequences of resettlement in a new society. Thematic analysis of the personal stories of the participants indicate that lack of recognition of professional skills, inadequate English language competency, perceived discrimination, experiences of racism, cultural disconnection and incongruity, social detachment, emotional isolation and alienation, individually and cumulatively contribute to psychological distress, difficulties in adjustment to life in Australia and in some cases, repatriation to the country of origin. Consequently, hybrid acculturation/biculturism involving co-ethnic density, host society receptivity/acceptance, social networking and family cohesion, and retention of religious and traditional cultural norms and values, collectively promote gradual acclimatization and successful resettlement in the host country. The researcher highlights some of these unique stories and the emergent themes that were analysed, and demonstrates the impact of migration associated adverse life events on the mental health of the study participants.