Immigration, Healtcare and Existential Questions

During period 1 (2008-2013) this work package area has had four sub-projects operationalized into the following areas:

4.2.a The use of existential information in psychiatric contexts (Norway)
DeMarinis in conjuction with researchers at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway, with funding from the Norwegian government, are involved in an ongoing mixed-method study, including both staff and patients, aimed at investigating the use of and function of existential information in psychotherapeutic contexts within psychiatry. The first peer-reviewed article (2010) presented a new theoretical model for including this type of information into clinical mental health contexts geared for secularized, multi-cultural Scandinavian contexts. A second article, underway, focuses on mental health staff training and clinical experience in using existential information. (Further articles are in process.) The theoretical model has been adapted to several other applied research projects by DeMarinis within both Norwegian and Swedish mental health contexts. One of the most important findings of this research is the usefulness of including existential information in mental health contexts for both diagnosis as well as treatment planning, and for a deeper understanding of both protective- and risk-factors related to existential beliefs and practices for mental health and wellbeing.
Participating researcher: Valerie DeMarinis

During period 1 (2008-2013) this work package area has had four sub-projects operationalized into the following areas:

4.2.b The use of existential information in psychiatrc contexts (Sweden)
DeMarinis in conjunction with Fernandez, Director of the Unit for Transcultural Psychiatry at Uppsala University Hospital, with EU Migration and Integration funding, have conducted a pilot study aimed at exploring psychiatrists’ understanding of and approach to cultural information and existential information in their daily work in Swedish mental health contexts. The first peer-reviewed publication (2013) has focused on developing a theoretical model for the interaction between these types of information, based on the rich clinical case data gathered in the study. Several articles are in process related to this study, as well as making use of the database of material gathered through the larger EU project.
Participating researchers: Valerie DeMarinis, Manuel Fernandez

4.2.c Values in the Assyrian immigrant population in Sweden
The aim of this study was to investigate the values within the Assyrian immigrant population compared to that of the general Swedish one. A questionnaire was developed and distributed among Assyrians in Sweden during 2009-2010. The questionnaire consisted of questions from the World Values Survey as well as other established research instruments. One of the important findings here has been the import link between identity and values, and the need for a conceptual model to explore this connection. One peer-reviewed article is in process. The results of this study have also been used in anthology chapters, including an international anthology, The Assyrian Heritage – Continuity in rituals, symbols, and language (2012).
Participating researchers: Önver Cetrez, Valerie DeMarinis

4.2.d Mental health and religio-cultural resources and problems in the acculturation process among Iraqi refugees in Stockholm, Södertälje and Uppsala
Another ongoing project, financed by the Swedish Research Council and linked to Impact, aims at investigating the role of religio-cultural resources and problems for mental health among Christian and Muslim Iraqi refugees in Stockholm, Södertälje and Uppsala. Important differences between these religio-cultural traditions and the use of religio-cultural resources as well as the functioning of religious institutions in terms of factors contributing to mental health as well as wellbeing in daily life have been noted. A wide variation of religio-cultural believing, belonging and identification patterns has been noted in both groups both influencing and being influenced by integration processes. One peer-reviewed publication is underway and several are in process.
Participating researchers: Önver Cetrez, Valerie DeMarinis, Manuel Fernandez

During the second period (2013-2018) the theme will work with this project:

4.2.e Mental health, meaning-making, and integration among Syrian immigrants in Södertälje and Stockholm with temporary residency
The aims are to: a) determine the daily life use of religio-cultural resources and explore the psychological conditions and wellbeing among Syrians; b) map changes in the network related to migration and mental ill health as well as the type and degree of problems and resources the Syrians have experienced during and following the asylum period in Sweden; and, c) contribute to method development for the inclusion of religio-cultural assessment in Swedish migration research.
Participating researchers: Önver Cetrez, Valerie DeMarinis, Shakra