Neighbourhood Context in the Mental Health of Refugees
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Cross-National Study of the Role of Neighbourhood Context in the Mental Health of Refugees
IRAS ID
295609
Contact name
Peter Schofield
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
HR-19/20-13702, King's College London Ethical Approval (BDM Research Ethics Subcommittee)
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The main research objective is to explore and examine the relation between the mental health of refugees and neighbourhood context. Nearly 1 in 10 refugees are reported to be suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as more likely to suffer long term severe mental illness, with rates of disorders such as schizophrenia up three times that of the general population. Given that migrants in general are at a greater risk of mental disorder, forcibly displaced people are at even greater risk although we know much less about what affects their mental health when they arrive and attempt to settle in the host country. However, we do know that the circumstances in which refugees find themselves living can make a difference to their mental health. This is particularly important because, while we cannot alter the traumatic events that caused refugees to flee their home country, we can influence their present circumstances.
Aims: 1) to investigate the underlying processes and pathways that mediate between neighbourhood risk factors and mental health outcomes; 2) to investigate other neighbourhood risk factors not accounted for in the previous analyses; and 3) generate further hypotheses to be tested with quantitative data.
Eligibility: Somali refugees between the age of 18 and 65 with an equal gender balance. Recruitment via two routes: 1) local clinicians, and 2) Consent4Contact (C4C) a local initiative comprising a register of South London and Maudsley Mental Health Trust patients who wish to participate in research.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews will focus on the kind of areas in which refugees live, their experience and how neighbourhood social and physical characteristics might be important for their mental health. Interviews might take place online due to Covid-19 related restrictions or, if possible, in person at a safe and discreet location agreed in advance.
Funding: Medical Research Council (MR/S025510/1).
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/WM/0187
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion