Migrant mental health and representation in routine administrative registers

• Published in: International journal of migration, health and social care Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 82 - 95
• Main Authors: Close, Ciara Mary, Bosqui, Tania, O’Reilly, Dermot, Donnelly, Michael, Kouvonen, Anne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hove Emerald Publishing Limited 26-02-2018; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Access; Archives & records; Census; Censuses; Community mental health services; Cultural awareness; Cultural competence; Economic indicators; Family physicians; Focus groups; Hate crimes; Health services; Health services utilization; Health status; Immigration policy; Interpreters; Low income groups; Medical personnel; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mental health care; Mental health services; Migrants; Migration; Police; Population; Poverty; Professional ethics; Professionals; Risk factors; Well being; Working conditions; United Kingdom > UK; Northern Ireland; United States > US; Representation; Registers; Health; Social care; Migrant
• ISSN: 1747-9894; 2042-8650
• DOI: 10.1108/IJMHSC-09-2016-0035

Purpose
There has been an increase in the use of registers and record linkages to study migrant mental health. However, the accuracy of these registers and the degree to which they are representative of the migrant population in Northern Ireland (NI) are unclear. The purpose of this paper is to explore: the coverage of the NI migrant population in general practitioner (GP) data and Census records; the issues faced by migrants in terms of registering and accessing the local health system; and the reporting of racial hate crimes against migrants to police.
Design/methodology/approach
Two focus groups of professionals (n=17) who worked with migrants were conducted. Group discussions were guided by a research-informed topic guide, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Three main themes emerged: issues with the use of GP registration, Census and hate crime data for researching migrant mental health; barriers to health service use (e.g. low cultural awareness among health staff and access to interpreters); and risk factor exposure and mental health status in migrant communities (e.g. poverty, isolation and poor working conditions).
Originality/value
Record linkage and registry studies of migrant health and well-being using Census and health service sources need to be mindful of the likelihood that some migrants may be missed. The possible underrepresentation of migrants in health registers may be explained by reduced use of such services which may be caused my encountering staff with limited cultural competency and the inability to access an interpreter promptly.